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Abdominal ultrasound
EUROP. J. OBSTET. GYNEC. REPROD. BIOL., 1979,9/4,281-284 0 Elsevier/North-Holland Biomedical Press
Book reviews Methods in Prenatal Toxicology
The first section (Chapters I-4) opening with a summarized history of obstetric anesthesia, describes the physiology of pregnancy and labor, the pharmacology of drugs used in labor and some aspects of modern management of pregnancy and labor. The important changes in hemodynamics, blood coagulation, respiration and metabolism during pregnancy are explained, as well as the action of the pharmacologic agents given in labor, their placental transfer and influence on mother and fetus. However, in the reviewer’s opinion, in Chapter 4 (‘Aspects of the modern management of pregnancy and labour’) the antepartal topics (maturity, placental localisation, antenatal monitoring) are too comprehensive compared to the obstetric aspects of the phase of delivery. The second section describes the systemic and inhalational analgesia, general anesthesia and several methods of regional analgesia, emphasizing especially the lumbal epidural block analgesia with valuable remarks on the organisation and management of labor under epidural analgesia, considering staff requirements, equipment and care of the patient. The third section, including Chapters 8-10, gives advice on the selection of anesthesia methods, treatment of complications during delivery and the resuscitation of the newborn. The book has been written primarily for anesthesiologists that have already gained experience in general anesthesia. It is interesting and valuable for obstetricians as well.
D. Neubert, H.-J. Merker and T.E. Kwasigroch (eds.) Georg Thieme, Stuttgart, 1977 (ix t 474 pp., 267 Figs., 44 Tables) DM 30.This well-bound volume collects the papers read at the Teratology Workshop held on April 12-l 7, 1977, at the Institut fur Toxikologie und EmbryonalPharmakologie of the Freie Universitat, Berlin. It deals primarily, if not exclusively, with methodology in experimental teratology and, as such, it magniticently fulfills its purpose. It is unquestionably the most complete and the most up-to-date compilation of techniques available in this field. The quality of the papers contributed is invariably high, and so is that of the numerous illustrations. Such a feat could only have been accomplished by an outstanding editorial team. Dr. Neubert and his colleagues may rightfully pride themselves on this remarkable book. J.J.Amy, Brussels
Obstetric Anaesthesia and Analgesia
D.D. Moir Bailhere Tindall, London, 1976 (293 pp., 27 Figs., index) + g 16.00 The advances in obstetric anesthesia and in pain relief during labor have increased the need for a book like this, containing the special knowledge that is necessary to provide safe anesthesia and effective analgesia for women in childbirth. The anesthetist today is an integrated member of the obstetric team, and thus ought to have full understanding of modern obstetric practice, physiologic peculiarities of pregnancy and pharmacology of drugs in labor.
L. Beck, Dusseldorf Abdominal Ultrasound H.H. Helm, J.K. Kristensen,
S.N. Rasmussen, J.F. Pedersen and S. Hancke Munksgaard, Copenhagen and University Park Press, Baltimore, 1976 (181 pp., 256 Figs., index) Dan Kr. 212.-
281
282
Book reviews
This handbook on diagnostic ultrasound of the abdomen is written by five experts integrated in the ultrasonic laboratory at the Gentofte/Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. The 19 chapters can be grouped into three parts: technology, systematic study of the abdominal organs, and special topics. The first part deals with: history, basic physics and general principles of abdominal scanning. These aspects are discussed in a very comprehensive way with clear didactic diagrams. The second part starts with a chapter on normal cross-sectional anatomy of the abdomen in seven transverse and five longitudinal sections, comparing ultrasonograms with schematic anatomical drawings. The next 10 chapters study the individual organs in a systematic way: anatomy, method of examination, normal organ, pathological conditions. These chapters cover: liver, biliary system, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, retroperitoneum, great vessels, gastro-intestinal tract, urinary bladder and prostate, and female reproductive organs. The third part presents interesting topics, such as: abscesses, hematomas and fluid collections, puncture techniques, organ volume estimations, errors and pitfalls, and indications for abdominal ultrasonic scanning. It should be mentioned here that the Gentofte group are pioneers in the sonar approach for percutaneous punctures. This handbook on abdominal ultrasound is a very valuable contribution to this particular field. Both text and illustrations are of a very high didactic quality. Only part of the ultrasonograms are gray scale images, but the bistable images are very good as well. This handbook is in the first place intended for the radiologist-, physician- or surgeon-ultrasonographist. It can, however, be recommended to the gynecologist who is performing ultrasound scanning for lower abdominal and pelvic conditions, which turn out to be not always of gynecological origin. K. Vandenberghe, Leuven Problems of Birth Defects
From Hippocrates to Thalidomide and After T.V.N. Persaud (ed.) Original papers with commentaries by T.V.N. Persaud
MTP Medical and Technical Publishing, Lancaster, 1977 (399 pp., Figs., no index) ;E13.95 Fifty-seven original papers concerning birth defects are reprinted in this book, about 50 of them in full length. A short comment by the editor and further important references are given with each paper or group of papers. The articles are grouped following topics such as: epidemiology, teratological mechanisms, cytogenetic and chromosomal studies, intrauterine infections, drugs, environmental teratogens, irradiation, prenatal diagnosis, ethical aspects. It is not possible to discuss in this review all the included papers; some should be mentioned: the review on epidemiology of congenital malformations by W.P. Kennedy (1967), the original paper on the nucleolar satellite by Barr and Bertram (1949), the conclusive demonstration of the total number of chromosomes in man by Tjio and Levan (1956), the chromosomal studies in spontaneous abortion by Boue et al. (1975), the rubella paper by N.M. Gregg (1941) the prospective study on congenital toxoplasmosis by Desmonts and Couvreur (1974) the thalidomide alarm by Lenz (1961-1962) the maternal stilbestrol-vaginal adenosis association by Herbst et al. (1971) the papers and discussions concerning anticonvulsant drugs, prenatal X-ray, smoking habits, fetal alcohol syndrome, the Minamata tragedy (Hg), etc . . . . As the author states in the introduction, a work of this nature must necessarily be selective, and the list of further references does partly compensate for this lack of completeness. Nevertheless, it is felt as a lack that the controversial issue concerning the possible teratogenic role of oral contraceptives is not touched in the section on sex steroids; nor is there any reference to the association of oral anticoagulants (coumarin derivates) and congenital malformations. As a general comment, the information would have been more accessible with a good index system. The part on prenatal diagnosis presents some interesting surveys on prenatal genetic diagnosis, ultrasonography and amnio-fetography, rather than original papers. Reference to the alpha fetoprotein work of Brock et al. is lacking. Ethical and social aspects concerning prenatal
Book reviews Methods in Prenatal Toxicology
The first section (Chapters I-4) opening with a summarized history of obstetric anesthesia, describes the physiology of pregnancy and labor, the pharmacology of drugs used in labor and some aspects of modern management of pregnancy and labor. The important changes in hemodynamics, blood coagulation, respiration and metabolism during pregnancy are explained, as well as the action of the pharmacologic agents given in labor, their placental transfer and influence on mother and fetus. However, in the reviewer’s opinion, in Chapter 4 (‘Aspects of the modern management of pregnancy and labour’) the antepartal topics (maturity, placental localisation, antenatal monitoring) are too comprehensive compared to the obstetric aspects of the phase of delivery. The second section describes the systemic and inhalational analgesia, general anesthesia and several methods of regional analgesia, emphasizing especially the lumbal epidural block analgesia with valuable remarks on the organisation and management of labor under epidural analgesia, considering staff requirements, equipment and care of the patient. The third section, including Chapters 8-10, gives advice on the selection of anesthesia methods, treatment of complications during delivery and the resuscitation of the newborn. The book has been written primarily for anesthesiologists that have already gained experience in general anesthesia. It is interesting and valuable for obstetricians as well.
D. Neubert, H.-J. Merker and T.E. Kwasigroch (eds.) Georg Thieme, Stuttgart, 1977 (ix t 474 pp., 267 Figs., 44 Tables) DM 30.This well-bound volume collects the papers read at the Teratology Workshop held on April 12-l 7, 1977, at the Institut fur Toxikologie und EmbryonalPharmakologie of the Freie Universitat, Berlin. It deals primarily, if not exclusively, with methodology in experimental teratology and, as such, it magniticently fulfills its purpose. It is unquestionably the most complete and the most up-to-date compilation of techniques available in this field. The quality of the papers contributed is invariably high, and so is that of the numerous illustrations. Such a feat could only have been accomplished by an outstanding editorial team. Dr. Neubert and his colleagues may rightfully pride themselves on this remarkable book. J.J.Amy, Brussels
Obstetric Anaesthesia and Analgesia
D.D. Moir Bailhere Tindall, London, 1976 (293 pp., 27 Figs., index) + g 16.00 The advances in obstetric anesthesia and in pain relief during labor have increased the need for a book like this, containing the special knowledge that is necessary to provide safe anesthesia and effective analgesia for women in childbirth. The anesthetist today is an integrated member of the obstetric team, and thus ought to have full understanding of modern obstetric practice, physiologic peculiarities of pregnancy and pharmacology of drugs in labor.
L. Beck, Dusseldorf Abdominal Ultrasound H.H. Helm, J.K. Kristensen,
S.N. Rasmussen, J.F. Pedersen and S. Hancke Munksgaard, Copenhagen and University Park Press, Baltimore, 1976 (181 pp., 256 Figs., index) Dan Kr. 212.-
281
282
Book reviews
This handbook on diagnostic ultrasound of the abdomen is written by five experts integrated in the ultrasonic laboratory at the Gentofte/Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. The 19 chapters can be grouped into three parts: technology, systematic study of the abdominal organs, and special topics. The first part deals with: history, basic physics and general principles of abdominal scanning. These aspects are discussed in a very comprehensive way with clear didactic diagrams. The second part starts with a chapter on normal cross-sectional anatomy of the abdomen in seven transverse and five longitudinal sections, comparing ultrasonograms with schematic anatomical drawings. The next 10 chapters study the individual organs in a systematic way: anatomy, method of examination, normal organ, pathological conditions. These chapters cover: liver, biliary system, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, retroperitoneum, great vessels, gastro-intestinal tract, urinary bladder and prostate, and female reproductive organs. The third part presents interesting topics, such as: abscesses, hematomas and fluid collections, puncture techniques, organ volume estimations, errors and pitfalls, and indications for abdominal ultrasonic scanning. It should be mentioned here that the Gentofte group are pioneers in the sonar approach for percutaneous punctures. This handbook on abdominal ultrasound is a very valuable contribution to this particular field. Both text and illustrations are of a very high didactic quality. Only part of the ultrasonograms are gray scale images, but the bistable images are very good as well. This handbook is in the first place intended for the radiologist-, physician- or surgeon-ultrasonographist. It can, however, be recommended to the gynecologist who is performing ultrasound scanning for lower abdominal and pelvic conditions, which turn out to be not always of gynecological origin. K. Vandenberghe, Leuven Problems of Birth Defects
From Hippocrates to Thalidomide and After T.V.N. Persaud (ed.) Original papers with commentaries by T.V.N. Persaud
MTP Medical and Technical Publishing, Lancaster, 1977 (399 pp., Figs., no index) ;E13.95 Fifty-seven original papers concerning birth defects are reprinted in this book, about 50 of them in full length. A short comment by the editor and further important references are given with each paper or group of papers. The articles are grouped following topics such as: epidemiology, teratological mechanisms, cytogenetic and chromosomal studies, intrauterine infections, drugs, environmental teratogens, irradiation, prenatal diagnosis, ethical aspects. It is not possible to discuss in this review all the included papers; some should be mentioned: the review on epidemiology of congenital malformations by W.P. Kennedy (1967), the original paper on the nucleolar satellite by Barr and Bertram (1949), the conclusive demonstration of the total number of chromosomes in man by Tjio and Levan (1956), the chromosomal studies in spontaneous abortion by Boue et al. (1975), the rubella paper by N.M. Gregg (1941) the prospective study on congenital toxoplasmosis by Desmonts and Couvreur (1974) the thalidomide alarm by Lenz (1961-1962) the maternal stilbestrol-vaginal adenosis association by Herbst et al. (1971) the papers and discussions concerning anticonvulsant drugs, prenatal X-ray, smoking habits, fetal alcohol syndrome, the Minamata tragedy (Hg), etc . . . . As the author states in the introduction, a work of this nature must necessarily be selective, and the list of further references does partly compensate for this lack of completeness. Nevertheless, it is felt as a lack that the controversial issue concerning the possible teratogenic role of oral contraceptives is not touched in the section on sex steroids; nor is there any reference to the association of oral anticoagulants (coumarin derivates) and congenital malformations. As a general comment, the information would have been more accessible with a good index system. The part on prenatal diagnosis presents some interesting surveys on prenatal genetic diagnosis, ultrasonography and amnio-fetography, rather than original papers. Reference to the alpha fetoprotein work of Brock et al. is lacking. Ethical and social aspects concerning prenatal