- Email: [email protected]
Nuclear Medicine Physics, Instrumentation and Agents
290
CLINICAL RADIOLOGY
Book Reviews Atlas of T e c h n e t i u m Bone Scans by Dennis L Citrin a n d James [-1.McKillop. W. B. Saunders C o m p a n y , Philadelphia, 60 dollars, 240 pp., 180 illus. Striking developments in the techniques of skeletal scanning during recent years have established its importance b e y o n d all doubt. It is one o f the c o m m o n e s t scanning techniques in current use and some o f its users have been outpaced by developments. T h e skeleton, like other organs, responds to stimuli in only a limited n u m b e r of ways and all positive bone scans have a similar pattern that is n o t easy to analyse further. T h e authors of this b o o k have considerable experience and skills in the art of this ultimate analysis o f skeletal scanning and they have condensed their knowledge of t h e art into 10 chapters. T h e technique of scanning and the normal bone scan as well as extraskeletal abnormalities are discussed in detail before the c o m m o n bone tumours, benign lesions, joint lesions, etc., are discussed. The written portion of each chapter is relatively short and to the point. It is supported by excellent lists of relevant and up to date references that are o f inestimable value to any interested reader. The tact that one-quarter o f the book is devoted to bone turnouts reflects both the interests of the authors and chief indications for skeletal scanning at the present time_ It is perhaps disappointing that more is not made of its value in arthritic conditions and other benign lesions but as this field is expanding rapidly this is perhaps inevitable. Neither of the authors is a radiologist and their plea for full clinical details and examination as well as appropriate laboratory ~[nd radiological investigations will raise a wry smile a m o n g m a n y radiologists. Their emphasis on the need for radiological e x a m i n a t i o n to support the scan finding m u s t be supported strongly and there is a useful diagnostic strategy in the chapter on bone tumours. A b o u t one-eighth of the b o o k is devoted to the text and the remainder is devoted to illustrations, as befits an atlas. Alas, these illustrations are t h e undoing o f the book. The authors have decided to display all the scans as white on black and this seems to have been a mistake as m u c h has been lost in the reversal of s o m e of the images. The m o s t serious criticism o f all concerns the reproduction of radiographs. There is n o t one illustration of a radiograph that will bear critical exantination. Much of the blame for this surely rests with the publishers_ It is with m u c h regret and only after very careful consideration that the conclusion has been drawn that this b o o k cannot be r e c o m m e n d e d as an atlas, despite the excellent features of the text and ~eferences. E. R. Davies
Mutagen Induced C h r o m o s o m e Damage in Man. Edited by H. Z Evans and D. C. Lloyd. Edinburgh University Press, 1978. 335 pp. £15. This book contains the proceedings of the meeting held in Edinburgh in July 1977, organised by the MRC and National Radiological Protection Board. All the papers discussed concern the effect of physical and/or chemical mutagens on the c h r o m o s o m e s of h u m a n cells. The first papers deal exclusively with the effect of radiation. T h e analysis of chromosome damage in h u m a n lymphocytes is discussed in some
detail and compared with results from animal studies usin~ similar models and techniques. T h e second half of the.boo~ contains papers on the effect of chemical mutagens, on the levels o f c h r o m o s o m e damage in h u m a n cells and also discusses some of t h e techniques for m o r e rapid analysis of c h r o m o s o m e damage. Some of t h e m o s t highly regarded n a m e s in cytogeneties have contributed papers to this b o o k and their writing is Of a correspondingly high level. It is i m p o r t a n t for the radiologist to understand how chromosome damage is being assessed a n d to what level h e can make deductions from the results. This b o o k goes a long w a y in explaining t h e techniques involved without unnecessary, lengthy discussion, and the a u t h o r s are quick to point out t h e scope and limitations of t h e m e t h o d s employed. T h e techniques now regularly employed in assessing the radiation response in cells are n o w being used in a similar assessment o f c h r o m o s o m e damage after chemotherapy and exposure to chemical mutagens. Certain papers are presented here which discuss and compare the effects of drugs and irradiation on the aberration levels in exposed cells. As there is an increased preoccupation with the envkon. m e n t a l hazards of irradiation and chemical exposure, there are s o m e welcome additional papers where cases of accidental exposure to either irradiation or chemical pollution axe studied for a significant effect o n h u m a n chromosomes and m e t h o d s are suggested whereby t h e levels of exposure can be m o n i t o r e d quantitatively. The book provides a valuable contribution to the understanding of c h r o m o s o m e damage in man. It is a very readable volume and I am sure will be welcome b y the radiologist and cytogeneticist alike. Margaret Laverick
Nuclear Medicine Physics, I n s t r u m e n t a t i o n and Agents. By F. D. Rollo. Henry K i m p t o n Publishers, London. 659 pp., 626 illus. £41.60. Several authors have contributed to this text, the core of which is a discussion of the physics background to a successful nuclear medicine practice. There it parts c o m p a n y with its more pedestrian competitors and is garnished with an extremely helpful discussion of solid state theory, tomoscanners, positron cameras, computer systems and terminology, basic statistics, estimation of doses, radiation safety aspects, quality control; ending with a statement of the Nuremburg Code and the Declaration o f Helsinki. All in all this is a c o m p e n d i u m that offers a very readable account of the present state of affairs. Good clinical j u d g e m e n t is based on a knowledge of the shortcomings of techniques being used and this can only be acquired by understanding the 'tools of the trade'_ This b o o k offers just this information_ It may be difficult to judge h o w m u c h of it each individual should learn b u t an awareness of the topics under discussion is certainly important for all radiologists. It is an expensive book even by m o d e r n standards. There is no doubt it will be very valuable for b o t h teachers and students. E. Rhys Davies
CLINICAL RADIOLOGY
Book Reviews Atlas of T e c h n e t i u m Bone Scans by Dennis L Citrin a n d James [-1.McKillop. W. B. Saunders C o m p a n y , Philadelphia, 60 dollars, 240 pp., 180 illus. Striking developments in the techniques of skeletal scanning during recent years have established its importance b e y o n d all doubt. It is one o f the c o m m o n e s t scanning techniques in current use and some o f its users have been outpaced by developments. T h e skeleton, like other organs, responds to stimuli in only a limited n u m b e r of ways and all positive bone scans have a similar pattern that is n o t easy to analyse further. T h e authors of this b o o k have considerable experience and skills in the art of this ultimate analysis o f skeletal scanning and they have condensed their knowledge of t h e art into 10 chapters. T h e technique of scanning and the normal bone scan as well as extraskeletal abnormalities are discussed in detail before the c o m m o n bone tumours, benign lesions, joint lesions, etc., are discussed. The written portion of each chapter is relatively short and to the point. It is supported by excellent lists of relevant and up to date references that are o f inestimable value to any interested reader. The tact that one-quarter o f the book is devoted to bone turnouts reflects both the interests of the authors and chief indications for skeletal scanning at the present time_ It is perhaps disappointing that more is not made of its value in arthritic conditions and other benign lesions but as this field is expanding rapidly this is perhaps inevitable. Neither of the authors is a radiologist and their plea for full clinical details and examination as well as appropriate laboratory ~[nd radiological investigations will raise a wry smile a m o n g m a n y radiologists. Their emphasis on the need for radiological e x a m i n a t i o n to support the scan finding m u s t be supported strongly and there is a useful diagnostic strategy in the chapter on bone tumours. A b o u t one-eighth of the b o o k is devoted to the text and the remainder is devoted to illustrations, as befits an atlas. Alas, these illustrations are t h e undoing o f the book. The authors have decided to display all the scans as white on black and this seems to have been a mistake as m u c h has been lost in the reversal of s o m e of the images. The m o s t serious criticism o f all concerns the reproduction of radiographs. There is n o t one illustration of a radiograph that will bear critical exantination. Much of the blame for this surely rests with the publishers_ It is with m u c h regret and only after very careful consideration that the conclusion has been drawn that this b o o k cannot be r e c o m m e n d e d as an atlas, despite the excellent features of the text and ~eferences. E. R. Davies
Mutagen Induced C h r o m o s o m e Damage in Man. Edited by H. Z Evans and D. C. Lloyd. Edinburgh University Press, 1978. 335 pp. £15. This book contains the proceedings of the meeting held in Edinburgh in July 1977, organised by the MRC and National Radiological Protection Board. All the papers discussed concern the effect of physical and/or chemical mutagens on the c h r o m o s o m e s of h u m a n cells. The first papers deal exclusively with the effect of radiation. T h e analysis of chromosome damage in h u m a n lymphocytes is discussed in some
detail and compared with results from animal studies usin~ similar models and techniques. T h e second half of the.boo~ contains papers on the effect of chemical mutagens, on the levels o f c h r o m o s o m e damage in h u m a n cells and also discusses some of t h e techniques for m o r e rapid analysis of c h r o m o s o m e damage. Some of t h e m o s t highly regarded n a m e s in cytogeneties have contributed papers to this b o o k and their writing is Of a correspondingly high level. It is i m p o r t a n t for the radiologist to understand how chromosome damage is being assessed a n d to what level h e can make deductions from the results. This b o o k goes a long w a y in explaining t h e techniques involved without unnecessary, lengthy discussion, and the a u t h o r s are quick to point out t h e scope and limitations of t h e m e t h o d s employed. T h e techniques now regularly employed in assessing the radiation response in cells are n o w being used in a similar assessment o f c h r o m o s o m e damage after chemotherapy and exposure to chemical mutagens. Certain papers are presented here which discuss and compare the effects of drugs and irradiation on the aberration levels in exposed cells. As there is an increased preoccupation with the envkon. m e n t a l hazards of irradiation and chemical exposure, there are s o m e welcome additional papers where cases of accidental exposure to either irradiation or chemical pollution axe studied for a significant effect o n h u m a n chromosomes and m e t h o d s are suggested whereby t h e levels of exposure can be m o n i t o r e d quantitatively. The book provides a valuable contribution to the understanding of c h r o m o s o m e damage in man. It is a very readable volume and I am sure will be welcome b y the radiologist and cytogeneticist alike. Margaret Laverick
Nuclear Medicine Physics, I n s t r u m e n t a t i o n and Agents. By F. D. Rollo. Henry K i m p t o n Publishers, London. 659 pp., 626 illus. £41.60. Several authors have contributed to this text, the core of which is a discussion of the physics background to a successful nuclear medicine practice. There it parts c o m p a n y with its more pedestrian competitors and is garnished with an extremely helpful discussion of solid state theory, tomoscanners, positron cameras, computer systems and terminology, basic statistics, estimation of doses, radiation safety aspects, quality control; ending with a statement of the Nuremburg Code and the Declaration o f Helsinki. All in all this is a c o m p e n d i u m that offers a very readable account of the present state of affairs. Good clinical j u d g e m e n t is based on a knowledge of the shortcomings of techniques being used and this can only be acquired by understanding the 'tools of the trade'_ This b o o k offers just this information_ It may be difficult to judge h o w m u c h of it each individual should learn b u t an awareness of the topics under discussion is certainly important for all radiologists. It is an expensive book even by m o d e r n standards. There is no doubt it will be very valuable for b o t h teachers and students. E. Rhys Davies