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Essentials of basic sciences in urology
BOOK REVIEWS Atlas of Operative Andrology by A. Kelami Berlin, S. de Gruyter, 1980 is a bound collection of An atlas, by definition, maps. As such the maps here are of the male genitals impressively drawn and of a suitable folio size. The author does not aspire to completeness nor does he expect all readers to agree with his selection and methods of operation. Approximately 40 procedures are illustrated in line drawings which at first examination appear to be deceptively simple but are in fact complex and carefully thought out. Each drawing has a short caption which amplifies the figure. Institutions training surgeons could do well to have this atlas in the library accessible to new surgeons. It is easy to underestimate the value of an illustrated operation to those who are still learning, for it assists the formation of a personal viewpoint, gives confidence to those who are about to step into the operating room for the first time, and provides a clear picture of what may become, for those surgeons, an alternate approach. Two Books for Students
of Urology
Essentials of Basic Sciences in Urology by S. Al-Askari, M. Golimbu, P. Morales, New York, Grune & Stratton, Inc., 1981
(Eds.)
What is the next best thing to being given the Q & A’s to the Boards? Al-Askari et al. may have a classic on their hands which could take its place next to the very popular general book by Don Smith. Indeed, considering the audience at which it is aimed, it is surprising that the publishers did not have the genial idea of putting this one into paperback from the start. Certainly this book complements the Smith one and will have to be updated periodically both as an important source of general information and as a valuable review. Chapter 1 on the embryology of the upper urinary tract becomes a memorial to the late Bernard D. Pinck who was its author. The subsequent chapters cover the physiology of the kidney, adrenal, the immune system, genetics, pharmacology, chemo-
514
therapy, and much more. Each chapter is concise and well written. Indeed it is to the credit of the editors that they were able to achieve a uniformly high level of writing for a multiauthored book. Limited space does not permit detailed review of each chapter. Several can be singled out for special praise not only as good reviews but also as being useful for clinical practice; these are: Chemotherapy by Yagoda, Pharmacology by Spatz, and Infertility by Amelar and Dubin. The generalist also can benefit by keeping this book at his bedside, absorbing its information one understandable chapter at a time. Meanwhile, this will have to be required reading for the examinee.
Vasculogenic Impotence: Proceedings of the First International Conference on Corpus Cavernosum by A. W. Zorgniotti, and G. Rossi, (Eds.) Springfield, Charles C Thomas, 1980 There is precious little available to the clinician or researcher who wishes to read up on this important subject. The Conference itself gave a powerful shove away from the psychogenic concept toward organic’ concepts of impotence. Impressive data concerning penile blood pressure, angiography, and the histology of the penis are piled up in this book in favor of the theory of organic impotence. All aspects of vascular impotence are covered in chapters written by those who presented papers at the Conference held at New York University. One subject, covered in considerable depth, is angiography of the penis. Whereas this may not seem important at this time, it may hold the key to future conquest of this vexing problem. Indeed the disappointing news at this conference appears to be the poor surgical results obtained so far. The optimistic view is that we are on the threshold of this new science, and this book is the first of its kind. One feature is that it introduces Vaclav Michal to American readers. It was this man who, in 1973, began it all by doing the first revascularization of the corpus cavernosum with transitory success. This book is must reading for anyone interested in impotence.
UROLOGY
/ MAY 1981 / VOLUME
XVII, NUMBER
5
of Urology
Essentials of Basic Sciences in Urology by S. Al-Askari, M. Golimbu, P. Morales, New York, Grune & Stratton, Inc., 1981
(Eds.)
What is the next best thing to being given the Q & A’s to the Boards? Al-Askari et al. may have a classic on their hands which could take its place next to the very popular general book by Don Smith. Indeed, considering the audience at which it is aimed, it is surprising that the publishers did not have the genial idea of putting this one into paperback from the start. Certainly this book complements the Smith one and will have to be updated periodically both as an important source of general information and as a valuable review. Chapter 1 on the embryology of the upper urinary tract becomes a memorial to the late Bernard D. Pinck who was its author. The subsequent chapters cover the physiology of the kidney, adrenal, the immune system, genetics, pharmacology, chemo-
514
therapy, and much more. Each chapter is concise and well written. Indeed it is to the credit of the editors that they were able to achieve a uniformly high level of writing for a multiauthored book. Limited space does not permit detailed review of each chapter. Several can be singled out for special praise not only as good reviews but also as being useful for clinical practice; these are: Chemotherapy by Yagoda, Pharmacology by Spatz, and Infertility by Amelar and Dubin. The generalist also can benefit by keeping this book at his bedside, absorbing its information one understandable chapter at a time. Meanwhile, this will have to be required reading for the examinee.
Vasculogenic Impotence: Proceedings of the First International Conference on Corpus Cavernosum by A. W. Zorgniotti, and G. Rossi, (Eds.) Springfield, Charles C Thomas, 1980 There is precious little available to the clinician or researcher who wishes to read up on this important subject. The Conference itself gave a powerful shove away from the psychogenic concept toward organic’ concepts of impotence. Impressive data concerning penile blood pressure, angiography, and the histology of the penis are piled up in this book in favor of the theory of organic impotence. All aspects of vascular impotence are covered in chapters written by those who presented papers at the Conference held at New York University. One subject, covered in considerable depth, is angiography of the penis. Whereas this may not seem important at this time, it may hold the key to future conquest of this vexing problem. Indeed the disappointing news at this conference appears to be the poor surgical results obtained so far. The optimistic view is that we are on the threshold of this new science, and this book is the first of its kind. One feature is that it introduces Vaclav Michal to American readers. It was this man who, in 1973, began it all by doing the first revascularization of the corpus cavernosum with transitory success. This book is must reading for anyone interested in impotence.
UROLOGY
/ MAY 1981 / VOLUME
XVII, NUMBER
5