Loyola stroke expert co-edits new textbook on cerebrovascular disease

Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine professor and chair of the Department of Neurology, José Biller, MD, an internationally known expert on stroke, is co-editor of a major new textbook, Common Pitfalls in Cerebrovascular Disease.

Dr. Biller is also a neurologist in the Loyola University Medical Center.

The book provides a case-based teaching tool highlighting the importance of information derived from the history and the physical examination in forming a diagnosis. Cases described in the book illustrate the way in which such clinical skills complement and inform the data obtained from ancillary testing. The book offers a highly accessible format for busy clinicians reviewing patients with strokes and other cerebrovascular disorders.

Clinical case studies long have been recognized as a useful adjunct to problem-based learning and continuing professional development. Case studies emphasize the need for clinical reasoning, integrative thinking, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and self-directed learning -- all desirable generic skills for healthcare professionals.

Common Pitfalls in Cerebrovascular Disease bridges the gap between textbook information and the experience of clinicians in everyday practice. Leading practitioners bring a practical approach to these complex conditions, highlighting specific areas of diagnostic uncertainty in evaluation and treatment.

Each case is taken from real-world clinical practice and reviews the diagnostic and treatment process in a systematic manner, identifying common challenges and potential pitfalls. The intended readership is trainees and non-specialist practitioners in neurology, stroke medicine, and neurosurgery.