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Living with Radiation
Clinical Radiology (2000) 55, 411–412
Book Reviews doi:10.1053/crad.1999.0310, available online at http://www.idealibrary.
doi:10.1053/crad.1999.0311, available online at http://www.idealibrary.
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Differential Diagnosis in Head and Neck Imaging. By T. J. Vogl. Thieme, Stuttgart. 1998. 381 pp.
Living with Radiation. 5th edn. Ed. by R. Vallance. National Radiological Protection Board, Chilton, U.K. Blackwell Science, Oxford. 1999. 70 pp. £9.95.
When I received this book to review I was very pleased. Thieme, the publishers, always produce a first class job. It is a pleasure just to handle one of their books. This title appeared to be another in the series of excellent Thieme books, with previous titles authored by Burgener and Kormano, on differential diagnosis, and the title and subtitle of this book indicated an ambitious challenge to the available texts. On first inspection there are many excellent images and attractive blue boxes with various lists. The book is divided into a general section outlining the concepts, radiography, CT, MRI, RNI, angiography and interventional treatments followed by 15 sections on specific areas or structures. Each of these sections has a standard layout of anatomy, clinical signs and symptoms, imaging evaluation and differential diagnosis, imaging findings, imaging criteria and their differential diagnosis, summary and diagnostic strategy, and references. Within our department we use three texts on head and neck imaging: Harnsberger, Som, and Mancuso and Hanafee. Each of these fulfils a purpose. Harnsberger, for an overall fast introduction and aide memoire in differential diagnosis, Mancuso and Hanafee for extending the factual knowledge and providing illustrations as the next step after Harnsberger, and Som for in depth reference on any specific topic. I asked several of my colleagues to use this book to answer some specific questions: How did this book treat a subject they know well?, How helpful was it in a subject they were uncertain about?, and Did the book live up to its ambitious subtitle of ‘a systematic approach to . . . the interpretation of difficult cases’? The general consensus was that the CT and MRI images, with the exception of the pointless 3D reconstructions, were good and much better than other available texts. The division into various compartments and differential diagnostic lists that were provided were also useful, but not as good as Harnsberger. Certain areas were covered well and probably reflect the practice of the authors, but the coverage was very inconsistent for a comprehensive text. For instance, the temporomandibular joint is covered in 30 pages, and thyroid gland in 10 lines. The orbit is again covered well with the exception of the globe itself where ultrasound is quoted as being an important investigation but its actual use is not described. This reveals one of the major failures of the book to live up to its title. It is basically a book of MRI and CT of the head and neck. The ultrasound, radiography and scintigraphy appear to have been added in order to justify the title of head and neck imaging, but they are so inadequate that they seriously detract from the end result. The text as a whole did not live up to expectations. Besides the inconsistency in depth already mentioned, the structure of the chapters proved difficult to follow with the need to jump between sections but a lack of detailed explanation. The differential diagnostic lists are good only as gamut lists but further information to aid in narrowing of the differential is often missing. For example, to be told that ‘topography’ or ‘morphology’ help in the differential diagnosis serves no purpose. The references are not indicated in the text, nor do they form a comprehensive further reading list. Some references are in the German literature which would also restrict their usefulness to an international readership. In summary, the book’s strength lies in the quality of its images and as a companion to differential diagnosis in CT and MRI of the head and neck. As an introductory text for head and neck imaging or a comprehensive reference, it does not compete with available texts. C. METREWELI 0009-9260/00/050411+02 $35.00/0
This short book on radiation is prepared by members of staff of the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB). The aim of the book is to provide information and improve knowledge of radiation. The Director of NRPB, Professor Roger Clarke, reminds us in the preface that we live with many types of harmful radiation because they cannot be avoided, or because they are essential to our way of life. It is aimed at a wide audience of teachers, journalists, environmentalists, lawyers, doctors, industrialists, officials and politicians. The sources and effects of radiation are described, including natural ionizing radiation. There are sections on medical uses of ionizing radiation, occupational exposure, radiation protection, environmental pollution, nuclear power and nuclear emergencies. The effects of electromagnetic fields and optical radiation are also described. This is an informative and well illustrated publication. Radiologists will find useful information in the sections on medical ionizing radiation and radiation protection. There is information on the likely doses of ionizing radiation received as a result of exposure to cosmic rays at different altitudes; we receive 0.03 mSv per hour at sea level, compared to 5 mSv at normal cruising height on long-distance air flights. The dangers of inadequate skin protection, resulting in skin cancers, and inadequate eye protection, resulting in disorders such as cataract, photokeratitis and pterygium due to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, are emphasized. This is an excellent book that should be widely read, particularly by members of the medical profession. It is essential reading for first-year registrars in radiology. D. J. NOLAN
doi:10.1053/crad.1999.0312, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Encyclopaedia of Medical Imaging, Vol. II. By Holgar Peterson. Nicer Institute. 433 pp. This is the ‘normal anatomy’ volume of the Encyclopaedia of Medical Imaging and is the second in a series of eight texts. Common to all encyclopaedias, its layout is in alphabetical order. The text section occupies the first 133 pages and contains 2000 entries. Images, again in alphabetical order, form the second part of the volume and herein, I believe, lies the fundamental problem of fragmentation. Most textbooks on anatomical imaging follow a conventional ‘system’ format so that spatial relationships can be demonstrated and the regional concept developed. Any challenge to current practice requires explanation and by necessity, needs to be of a high quality to gain acceptance. I, and I expect others too, will need to be convinced of the merit of this new approach. Alphabetical listing in the image section of the book leads to the appearance on consecutive pages of, for example, brain images, breast, bronchi and cerebral veins. There is also repetition of certain images, for example, CT of the chest, which appears under several headings, all separate and widely dispersed. It would be difficult for medical students to grasp the principles of radiological anatomy using this text alone. Most of the radiographs are of excellent quality, particularly the angiograms, as would be expected from the Scandinavian influence, but q 2000 The Royal College of Radiologists
Book Reviews doi:10.1053/crad.1999.0310, available online at http://www.idealibrary.
doi:10.1053/crad.1999.0311, available online at http://www.idealibrary.
com on
com on
Differential Diagnosis in Head and Neck Imaging. By T. J. Vogl. Thieme, Stuttgart. 1998. 381 pp.
Living with Radiation. 5th edn. Ed. by R. Vallance. National Radiological Protection Board, Chilton, U.K. Blackwell Science, Oxford. 1999. 70 pp. £9.95.
When I received this book to review I was very pleased. Thieme, the publishers, always produce a first class job. It is a pleasure just to handle one of their books. This title appeared to be another in the series of excellent Thieme books, with previous titles authored by Burgener and Kormano, on differential diagnosis, and the title and subtitle of this book indicated an ambitious challenge to the available texts. On first inspection there are many excellent images and attractive blue boxes with various lists. The book is divided into a general section outlining the concepts, radiography, CT, MRI, RNI, angiography and interventional treatments followed by 15 sections on specific areas or structures. Each of these sections has a standard layout of anatomy, clinical signs and symptoms, imaging evaluation and differential diagnosis, imaging findings, imaging criteria and their differential diagnosis, summary and diagnostic strategy, and references. Within our department we use three texts on head and neck imaging: Harnsberger, Som, and Mancuso and Hanafee. Each of these fulfils a purpose. Harnsberger, for an overall fast introduction and aide memoire in differential diagnosis, Mancuso and Hanafee for extending the factual knowledge and providing illustrations as the next step after Harnsberger, and Som for in depth reference on any specific topic. I asked several of my colleagues to use this book to answer some specific questions: How did this book treat a subject they know well?, How helpful was it in a subject they were uncertain about?, and Did the book live up to its ambitious subtitle of ‘a systematic approach to . . . the interpretation of difficult cases’? The general consensus was that the CT and MRI images, with the exception of the pointless 3D reconstructions, were good and much better than other available texts. The division into various compartments and differential diagnostic lists that were provided were also useful, but not as good as Harnsberger. Certain areas were covered well and probably reflect the practice of the authors, but the coverage was very inconsistent for a comprehensive text. For instance, the temporomandibular joint is covered in 30 pages, and thyroid gland in 10 lines. The orbit is again covered well with the exception of the globe itself where ultrasound is quoted as being an important investigation but its actual use is not described. This reveals one of the major failures of the book to live up to its title. It is basically a book of MRI and CT of the head and neck. The ultrasound, radiography and scintigraphy appear to have been added in order to justify the title of head and neck imaging, but they are so inadequate that they seriously detract from the end result. The text as a whole did not live up to expectations. Besides the inconsistency in depth already mentioned, the structure of the chapters proved difficult to follow with the need to jump between sections but a lack of detailed explanation. The differential diagnostic lists are good only as gamut lists but further information to aid in narrowing of the differential is often missing. For example, to be told that ‘topography’ or ‘morphology’ help in the differential diagnosis serves no purpose. The references are not indicated in the text, nor do they form a comprehensive further reading list. Some references are in the German literature which would also restrict their usefulness to an international readership. In summary, the book’s strength lies in the quality of its images and as a companion to differential diagnosis in CT and MRI of the head and neck. As an introductory text for head and neck imaging or a comprehensive reference, it does not compete with available texts. C. METREWELI 0009-9260/00/050411+02 $35.00/0
This short book on radiation is prepared by members of staff of the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB). The aim of the book is to provide information and improve knowledge of radiation. The Director of NRPB, Professor Roger Clarke, reminds us in the preface that we live with many types of harmful radiation because they cannot be avoided, or because they are essential to our way of life. It is aimed at a wide audience of teachers, journalists, environmentalists, lawyers, doctors, industrialists, officials and politicians. The sources and effects of radiation are described, including natural ionizing radiation. There are sections on medical uses of ionizing radiation, occupational exposure, radiation protection, environmental pollution, nuclear power and nuclear emergencies. The effects of electromagnetic fields and optical radiation are also described. This is an informative and well illustrated publication. Radiologists will find useful information in the sections on medical ionizing radiation and radiation protection. There is information on the likely doses of ionizing radiation received as a result of exposure to cosmic rays at different altitudes; we receive 0.03 mSv per hour at sea level, compared to 5 mSv at normal cruising height on long-distance air flights. The dangers of inadequate skin protection, resulting in skin cancers, and inadequate eye protection, resulting in disorders such as cataract, photokeratitis and pterygium due to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, are emphasized. This is an excellent book that should be widely read, particularly by members of the medical profession. It is essential reading for first-year registrars in radiology. D. J. NOLAN
doi:10.1053/crad.1999.0312, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Encyclopaedia of Medical Imaging, Vol. II. By Holgar Peterson. Nicer Institute. 433 pp. This is the ‘normal anatomy’ volume of the Encyclopaedia of Medical Imaging and is the second in a series of eight texts. Common to all encyclopaedias, its layout is in alphabetical order. The text section occupies the first 133 pages and contains 2000 entries. Images, again in alphabetical order, form the second part of the volume and herein, I believe, lies the fundamental problem of fragmentation. Most textbooks on anatomical imaging follow a conventional ‘system’ format so that spatial relationships can be demonstrated and the regional concept developed. Any challenge to current practice requires explanation and by necessity, needs to be of a high quality to gain acceptance. I, and I expect others too, will need to be convinced of the merit of this new approach. Alphabetical listing in the image section of the book leads to the appearance on consecutive pages of, for example, brain images, breast, bronchi and cerebral veins. There is also repetition of certain images, for example, CT of the chest, which appears under several headings, all separate and widely dispersed. It would be difficult for medical students to grasp the principles of radiological anatomy using this text alone. Most of the radiographs are of excellent quality, particularly the angiograms, as would be expected from the Scandinavian influence, but q 2000 The Royal College of Radiologists