Acquired Neuromuscular Disorders

This book provides state of the art information on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of a range of inflammatory, autoimmune, and idiopathic neuromuscular disorders. The opening section discusses the differential diagnosis of acquired myopathies based on clinical, electrophysiological, muscle biopsy, and serological criteria, with special focus on the role of electromyography and antibody testing. Each of the relevant clinical entities is then discussed in detail, the coverage including, for example, myasthenia gravis, polymyositis, immune-mediated neuropathies, multifocal motor neuropathies, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, paraneoplastic neuropathies, and diabetic polyneuropathy. Clear guidance is provided on currently available treatments, with descriptions of the latest advances in physiotherapy, drug therapy, and respiratory care. Other features of this clinically oriented book are the inclusion of many illustrative case presentations and contributions by international authors from leading centers.

Corrado Angelini is Professor of Neurology and Director of the Neuromuscular Center at the University of Padua, Italy, a position he has held since 1980. Since 2010 he has also been a Consultant at IRCCS Fondazione San Camillo Hospital in Venice. After completing his MD at the University of Padua and specializing in Neurology, Dr. Angelini studied and worked for more than 4 years in the United States (in Minnesota, North Dakota, Colorado, and California) before returning to Italy to take up his position at the University of Padua. Dr. Angelini is an Associate Member of the American Academy of Neurology and has been Chair of the ENS Muscle and Neuromuscular Junction Committee since 2009. He has received several honors during his career and is the author of numerous articles in international peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Angelini is a member of the advisory board of Neurology and Neurological Sciences and a Springer author.