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Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging
212
BOOK REVIEWS
ADC) and fast Fourier analysis, the various component frequencies contained in the Doppler signal are arranged according to frequency and given a number according to amplitude.” (Correction underlined). This makes the representation of the amplitude seem more arbitrary than it actually is. Then Figure 15.8is compared to Figure 15.9 in order to illustrate the effects of framing rate, but the images clearly indicate that the transducer frequency has also been changed from 24 MHz to 10 MHz, obscuring the framing rate effect. Finally, on page 107,the Figure 18 referred to is probably just Figure 16.1. In addition, a number of typos remain uncorrected. So many mistakes (even with printed errata) can exact a heavy toll from students viewing the material for the first time. It is unfortunate that more attention was not paid to detail in a book that otherwise has so much to recommend it.
CLINICAL IMAGING VOL. 16, NO. 3
about these sequences in the introductory chapter. Some space should have been dedicated to methods that allow a quantification of the cardiac function. Moreover, as MRI is a rapidly evolving imaging modality, the last four chapters focus on the future trends in MRI (3-D Imaging, MR Angiography, Spectroscopy, and Contrast Enhanced MRI). A short section could have discussed emerging technologies such as ultrafast scanning and Echo-Planar imaging, that may have a role in the future of cardiac imaging, are undertreated or not mentioned at all. The same considerations apply to new methods for evaluating the sequential cardiac kinetics (i.e., cardiac tagging). Nevertheless, this book gives the reader a comprehensive and effective overview of all clinical applications of MRI of the heart and great vessels that will be helpful for students and specialists who need concise and effective information on the role played by MRI in cardiac and vascular diagnostics.
R. JAMES R. KNOWLES, Ph.D.
The New York HospitalCornell University Medical College New York, N.Y.
LUDOVICO DALLA PALMA, M.D. Cattinara Hospital-University of Trieste Trieste, Italy
Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging F.R. Gutierrez, J.J. Brown, S.A. Mirowitz. St. Louis: Mosby Year Book, 1991;$99.00,233 pages.
Peripheral Vascular Imaging and Intervention Ducksoo Kim, Dan Orron (Eds.). St. Louis: Mosby Year Book, 1992, $125.00, 599 pages.
This book has been written to an audience of a large group of readers with varying backgrounds; i.e., radiologists, physicists, cardiologists, and technologists. In a relatively small text (233 pages) the authors face the arduous task of covering multiple topics including basic principles of MRI, the anatomy and congenital diseases of the heart, as well as the most common acquired abnormalities involving the valves of the heart, the pericardium, the myocardium, and the aorta. There are at least two general books on MRI available where approximately 100 pages are specifically dedicated to these topics, but these are rather expensive (volumes by D. Stark, edited by Mosby, pages 887-933, and by Edelman, edited by Saunders, pages 745-844). In this book the methodological and technical problems are discussed with a very practical approach avoiding too many “technical” considerations. The potential of MRI in assessing the various anatomical and functional changes of the heart is clearly depicted, and particular care also has been given to congenital and acquired diseases. There are a few shortcomings, however. The reader who learns the importance of gradient-echo pulse sequences in chapters 8,11, and 12, cannot find a clear explanation
The depth of knowledge and skill required of the interventional radiologist has grown tremendously in the past few years. Several authors have attempted to address all aspects of the specialty under one cover. Although admirable in their efforts, such survey texts often fall short in providing the compendium of information required by the practitioners in each subspecialty. With this in mind, Drs. Kim and Orron have undertaken the task of codifying the knowledge base of vascular radiology in a dedicated text. Although listed as published in 1992, this book actually became available in late 1991. The book includes 599 pages of text and 1,778 illustrations. The print is organized in a double column format on 8 x 11 bond and is very easy to read. The majority of the illustrations appropriately demonstrate points outlined in the text and are clearly reproduced and labeled. The occasional typographical errors and misplaced figures do little to slow the fluid style of the text. Although the book does include contributions from many investigators in the field, the majority of the chapters are written by one of the editors and maintain a fairly consistent style. As the title would suggest the text is divided into two parts: Imaging and Intervention. Imaging in-
BOOK REVIEWS
ADC) and fast Fourier analysis, the various component frequencies contained in the Doppler signal are arranged according to frequency and given a number according to amplitude.” (Correction underlined). This makes the representation of the amplitude seem more arbitrary than it actually is. Then Figure 15.8is compared to Figure 15.9 in order to illustrate the effects of framing rate, but the images clearly indicate that the transducer frequency has also been changed from 24 MHz to 10 MHz, obscuring the framing rate effect. Finally, on page 107,the Figure 18 referred to is probably just Figure 16.1. In addition, a number of typos remain uncorrected. So many mistakes (even with printed errata) can exact a heavy toll from students viewing the material for the first time. It is unfortunate that more attention was not paid to detail in a book that otherwise has so much to recommend it.
CLINICAL IMAGING VOL. 16, NO. 3
about these sequences in the introductory chapter. Some space should have been dedicated to methods that allow a quantification of the cardiac function. Moreover, as MRI is a rapidly evolving imaging modality, the last four chapters focus on the future trends in MRI (3-D Imaging, MR Angiography, Spectroscopy, and Contrast Enhanced MRI). A short section could have discussed emerging technologies such as ultrafast scanning and Echo-Planar imaging, that may have a role in the future of cardiac imaging, are undertreated or not mentioned at all. The same considerations apply to new methods for evaluating the sequential cardiac kinetics (i.e., cardiac tagging). Nevertheless, this book gives the reader a comprehensive and effective overview of all clinical applications of MRI of the heart and great vessels that will be helpful for students and specialists who need concise and effective information on the role played by MRI in cardiac and vascular diagnostics.
R. JAMES R. KNOWLES, Ph.D.
The New York HospitalCornell University Medical College New York, N.Y.
LUDOVICO DALLA PALMA, M.D. Cattinara Hospital-University of Trieste Trieste, Italy
Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging F.R. Gutierrez, J.J. Brown, S.A. Mirowitz. St. Louis: Mosby Year Book, 1991;$99.00,233 pages.
Peripheral Vascular Imaging and Intervention Ducksoo Kim, Dan Orron (Eds.). St. Louis: Mosby Year Book, 1992, $125.00, 599 pages.
This book has been written to an audience of a large group of readers with varying backgrounds; i.e., radiologists, physicists, cardiologists, and technologists. In a relatively small text (233 pages) the authors face the arduous task of covering multiple topics including basic principles of MRI, the anatomy and congenital diseases of the heart, as well as the most common acquired abnormalities involving the valves of the heart, the pericardium, the myocardium, and the aorta. There are at least two general books on MRI available where approximately 100 pages are specifically dedicated to these topics, but these are rather expensive (volumes by D. Stark, edited by Mosby, pages 887-933, and by Edelman, edited by Saunders, pages 745-844). In this book the methodological and technical problems are discussed with a very practical approach avoiding too many “technical” considerations. The potential of MRI in assessing the various anatomical and functional changes of the heart is clearly depicted, and particular care also has been given to congenital and acquired diseases. There are a few shortcomings, however. The reader who learns the importance of gradient-echo pulse sequences in chapters 8,11, and 12, cannot find a clear explanation
The depth of knowledge and skill required of the interventional radiologist has grown tremendously in the past few years. Several authors have attempted to address all aspects of the specialty under one cover. Although admirable in their efforts, such survey texts often fall short in providing the compendium of information required by the practitioners in each subspecialty. With this in mind, Drs. Kim and Orron have undertaken the task of codifying the knowledge base of vascular radiology in a dedicated text. Although listed as published in 1992, this book actually became available in late 1991. The book includes 599 pages of text and 1,778 illustrations. The print is organized in a double column format on 8 x 11 bond and is very easy to read. The majority of the illustrations appropriately demonstrate points outlined in the text and are clearly reproduced and labeled. The occasional typographical errors and misplaced figures do little to slow the fluid style of the text. Although the book does include contributions from many investigators in the field, the majority of the chapters are written by one of the editors and maintain a fairly consistent style. As the title would suggest the text is divided into two parts: Imaging and Intervention. Imaging in-