Neurosurgery Fundamentals

I'm applying into neurosurgery residency in a year and I bought this book during my clerkship year. It provides an accessible, detailed and well-organized introduction to neurosurgery, a highly sub-specialized field that most medical students do not get exposure to. As a woman interested in academic neurosurgery I especially appreciated the effort in representing female neurosurgeons among the chapter authors! The book has great illustrations, clear narrative chapters, and is very relevant to the clinical decision-making in neurosurgery I saw on my rotations. I will definitely be re-reading it cover to cover as I study for sub-internships.

I started using this book during my 4th year neurosurgery sub-internship. I wish I had known about it sooner! For medical students hoping to match into neurosurgery, 4th year clinical rotation in neurosurgery is very important. You are expected to have some basic (sometimes, more advanced) knowledge of the field despite the fact you do not get a formal training in neurosurgery during your first 2 years of medical school. This means that students serious about pursuing neurosurgery should study on their own to acquire the student-level knowledge to perform well--and this book gives you just that, the "fundamentals" as it promises. The Greenberg is considered the bible for neurosurgery trainees, but it was originally written for neurosurgery residents. Although still a very good book and comprehensive, students can easily get lost if trying to read the Greenberg from cover to cover. Compared to Greenberg, this book is nicely condensed and easier to digest for med students. The author clearly understands the struggles of medical students and selected the most important content. It also fits in white coat pockets(!) and great to carry around on rotation. This was a great plus for me as most other books do not fit! This book also has great illustrations and tables. Even for 1st/2nd year medical students who won't be starting clerkships anytime soon, I would still recommend this book because the practical advice section is highly useful for career planning. Enjoy!

This is an excellent book for medical students and residents alike. It takes a thoughtful, progressive approach in teaching trainees the subtle nuances of what it takes to be a great neurosurgery resident and neurosurgeon. It incorporates a broad array of knowledge from true leaders in the field but also gives the ground-level perspective from high-performing residents. I have used this book numerous times as a neurosurgery resident to prepare for OR cases, ICU rotations, and on-call shifts. Moreover, my opinions and sentiments have been shared by my co-residents alike. In sum, this is a practical, concise, affordable book that will benefit any medical student or neurosurgical trainee.

This book stands among the pillars of neurosurgical education, with its easy-to-digest explanations, concise presentations, and clearly defined images. As a medical student, this book was essential for my day to day rotation, it fits perfectly in my white coat pocket, and the sections were insightful yet concise- allowing me to quickly review the text prior to entering the OR or taking a consult. Given that the field of neurosurgery is always evolving, as discovery continues, so to the need for an updated edition will arise. I look forward to the new addition, and will certainly purchase it for my intern training.

An excellent book if you would like to evaluate the basic facts of going into the field of neurosurgery for yourself or your child. Written by a resident neurosurgeon.

Dr. Agarwal's book is a thoughtfully written text. As a neurosurgery resident, he is well aware of the rigors, demands and hard work it takes to become a neurosurgeon. Neurosurgeons are the Navy SEALs of the medical world. I reached out to Dr. Agarwal personally and he was very responsive and receptive despite his busy schedule. I highly recommend his book and wish him the best in his career!

I have this and the handbook of neurosurgery. This one is great for when you just need a quick review prior to walking into a patient or before you present.

Essential for trainees and trainers in neurosurgery and a must-have handbook for all healthcare providers outside neurosurgery who will - eventually - encounter patients in need of neurosurgical care.