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Gastroesophageal cytology (monographs in clinical cytology), volume 10
August 1985
BOOK REVIEWS
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: Advances in Diagnosis and Therapy. Volume 1. Edited by P. R. Salmon. 278 pp., $48.50. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, Maryland, 1984. There is little here of the “How I do it” endoscopic training manual one might have expected from the title. Instead, Salmon presents a valuable collection of 23 papers describing the impact of endoscopy on digestive tract disease. Four major areas are covered: gastrointestinal hemorrhage, esophageal problems, the periampullary region, and inflammatory bowel disease. In each section there are excellent papers that do not so much document advances as provide the detailed background needed to appreciate current endoscopic clinical research. The book begins with such a chapter on the endoscopic diagnosis of GI bleeding by Tytgat. This complex, often emotional topic is handled with quiet logic, setting the stage for papers emphasizing therapy that follow. I have special praise for the chapter on endoscopy in portal hypertension by Smith and Rose. They have organized multiple brief sections, each headed by a question. There is everything you always wanted to know about varices and the answers comprise a remarkably clear and complete discussion. Also of merit are reviews of arteriovenous lesions of the upper GI tract by Collin-Jones and of the colon by Hunt. The section on esophageal problems contains an overview of dysphagia by Tytgat and Bartelsman with a number of clinical pearls. Other chapters in that section relate to motility and reflux disorders, two areas where endoscopy plays a minor role. Advances in endoscopy are appropriately presented in context with developments in other areas, notably imaging and surgery. The periampullary region has become a fascinating area of interaction between endoscopist, radiologist, and surgeon, and the section devoted to this was my favorite. The lead-off review of papillary function and physiology by Moody is beautifully written. Huibregtse and Tytgat provide a superb summary of their considerable experience with endoscopic placement of biliary prostheses. Salmon’s short paper on the papilla and the ventral pancreas was particularly lucid. The very good concluding section of the book evaluates the utility of colonoscopy in the management of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and has a final word from the pathologist on dysplasia and carcinoma. The material has been selected from past meetings on “Growing Points in Endoscopy” held in Great Britain. There are some problems, most notably uneven quality, some strong and not always balanced opinion, and the absence of recent references. I recommend this book to gastroenterologists, not for technical instruction but to broaden understanding of some current directions in endoscopy. CHARLES New
J. LIGHTDALE,
451
Exfoliative cytology of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly the stomach and duodenum, has had a fluctuating life history. The procedure dates back to the 19th century, gathered momentum with the advent of Papanicolaou and, insofar as the gastrointestinal tract was concerned, reached its zenith with the work of Cyrus E. Rubin and colleagues at the University of Chicago during the 1950s. Later under the direction of Howard F. Raskin during the 1960s exfoliative cytology maintained its important position as a worthwhile diagnostic procedure. With the development of greatly improved endoscopic instruments and ingenious biopsy techniques, the general usage of exfoliative cytology has declined. Today, this procedure probably is used regularly in only a small number of centers. Nevertheless, well done under the direction of experienced and able physician-cytologists, the procedure remains an exceedingly useful adjunct in the diagnosis of cancer and other tumors, involving the upper digestive tract particularly. This monograph of gastroesophageal cytology is the latest in a series of monographs on clinical cytology. It is a very useful account of the science and the art of cytologic examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Beginning with a historical account, the author proceeds in orderly fashion through the histology, anatomy, and physiology of the stomach and then on to the techniques of specimen collection, preparation, and evaluation. Subsequent chapters deal with exfoliative cytology, gastric cytology, early cancer and precancer, and finally, the result of gastroesophageal cytology. The information is comprehensive, accurate, and practical. The writing is clear. The text is beautifully arranged on good paper and excellent type. There are many excellent black and white illustrations, but only two color plates. In this respect, this book lags behind several other publications noted for their beautiful color illustrations of cytologic material. (For example, Handbook and Atlas of Gastrointestinal Exfoliative Cytology by Prolla JC and Kirsner JB. University of Chicago Press, 1972.) Gastroesophageal Cytology provides excellent reading and guidance for the trainee in cytology as well as for the established cytotechnician, cytopathologist, and the physician-cytologist. A test reading of the monography by a former cytotechnician elicited high praise in terms of clarity of material and the accuracy and practicality of the information. The cost is too high, in my opinion. This monograph is a valuable addition to the literature on gastrointestinal exfoliative cytology and is recommended to all who are interested in the more accurate diagnosis of gastrointestinal neoplasia. JOSEPH
B. KIRSNER,
M.D., Ph.D.
Chicago, Illinois
M.D.
York, New York
Gastroesophageal Cytology (Monographs tology) Volume 10. By M. Drake. 267 Karger AG, Basel, Switzerland, 1985.
in Clinical Cypp., $73.75. S.
Interventional Radiology of the Abdomen. Second ed. By J. T. Ferrucci, J. Wittenberg, P. R. Mueller, and J. F. Simeone. 296 pp., $49.50. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, Maryland, 1985. Although only 4 yr have elapsed since the first edition of
BOOK REVIEWS
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: Advances in Diagnosis and Therapy. Volume 1. Edited by P. R. Salmon. 278 pp., $48.50. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, Maryland, 1984. There is little here of the “How I do it” endoscopic training manual one might have expected from the title. Instead, Salmon presents a valuable collection of 23 papers describing the impact of endoscopy on digestive tract disease. Four major areas are covered: gastrointestinal hemorrhage, esophageal problems, the periampullary region, and inflammatory bowel disease. In each section there are excellent papers that do not so much document advances as provide the detailed background needed to appreciate current endoscopic clinical research. The book begins with such a chapter on the endoscopic diagnosis of GI bleeding by Tytgat. This complex, often emotional topic is handled with quiet logic, setting the stage for papers emphasizing therapy that follow. I have special praise for the chapter on endoscopy in portal hypertension by Smith and Rose. They have organized multiple brief sections, each headed by a question. There is everything you always wanted to know about varices and the answers comprise a remarkably clear and complete discussion. Also of merit are reviews of arteriovenous lesions of the upper GI tract by Collin-Jones and of the colon by Hunt. The section on esophageal problems contains an overview of dysphagia by Tytgat and Bartelsman with a number of clinical pearls. Other chapters in that section relate to motility and reflux disorders, two areas where endoscopy plays a minor role. Advances in endoscopy are appropriately presented in context with developments in other areas, notably imaging and surgery. The periampullary region has become a fascinating area of interaction between endoscopist, radiologist, and surgeon, and the section devoted to this was my favorite. The lead-off review of papillary function and physiology by Moody is beautifully written. Huibregtse and Tytgat provide a superb summary of their considerable experience with endoscopic placement of biliary prostheses. Salmon’s short paper on the papilla and the ventral pancreas was particularly lucid. The very good concluding section of the book evaluates the utility of colonoscopy in the management of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and has a final word from the pathologist on dysplasia and carcinoma. The material has been selected from past meetings on “Growing Points in Endoscopy” held in Great Britain. There are some problems, most notably uneven quality, some strong and not always balanced opinion, and the absence of recent references. I recommend this book to gastroenterologists, not for technical instruction but to broaden understanding of some current directions in endoscopy. CHARLES New
J. LIGHTDALE,
451
Exfoliative cytology of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly the stomach and duodenum, has had a fluctuating life history. The procedure dates back to the 19th century, gathered momentum with the advent of Papanicolaou and, insofar as the gastrointestinal tract was concerned, reached its zenith with the work of Cyrus E. Rubin and colleagues at the University of Chicago during the 1950s. Later under the direction of Howard F. Raskin during the 1960s exfoliative cytology maintained its important position as a worthwhile diagnostic procedure. With the development of greatly improved endoscopic instruments and ingenious biopsy techniques, the general usage of exfoliative cytology has declined. Today, this procedure probably is used regularly in only a small number of centers. Nevertheless, well done under the direction of experienced and able physician-cytologists, the procedure remains an exceedingly useful adjunct in the diagnosis of cancer and other tumors, involving the upper digestive tract particularly. This monograph of gastroesophageal cytology is the latest in a series of monographs on clinical cytology. It is a very useful account of the science and the art of cytologic examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Beginning with a historical account, the author proceeds in orderly fashion through the histology, anatomy, and physiology of the stomach and then on to the techniques of specimen collection, preparation, and evaluation. Subsequent chapters deal with exfoliative cytology, gastric cytology, early cancer and precancer, and finally, the result of gastroesophageal cytology. The information is comprehensive, accurate, and practical. The writing is clear. The text is beautifully arranged on good paper and excellent type. There are many excellent black and white illustrations, but only two color plates. In this respect, this book lags behind several other publications noted for their beautiful color illustrations of cytologic material. (For example, Handbook and Atlas of Gastrointestinal Exfoliative Cytology by Prolla JC and Kirsner JB. University of Chicago Press, 1972.) Gastroesophageal Cytology provides excellent reading and guidance for the trainee in cytology as well as for the established cytotechnician, cytopathologist, and the physician-cytologist. A test reading of the monography by a former cytotechnician elicited high praise in terms of clarity of material and the accuracy and practicality of the information. The cost is too high, in my opinion. This monograph is a valuable addition to the literature on gastrointestinal exfoliative cytology and is recommended to all who are interested in the more accurate diagnosis of gastrointestinal neoplasia. JOSEPH
B. KIRSNER,
M.D., Ph.D.
Chicago, Illinois
M.D.
York, New York
Gastroesophageal Cytology (Monographs tology) Volume 10. By M. Drake. 267 Karger AG, Basel, Switzerland, 1985.
in Clinical Cypp., $73.75. S.
Interventional Radiology of the Abdomen. Second ed. By J. T. Ferrucci, J. Wittenberg, P. R. Mueller, and J. F. Simeone. 296 pp., $49.50. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, Maryland, 1985. Although only 4 yr have elapsed since the first edition of