Pocket Atlas of Radiographic Positioning, 2nd Edition

Pocket Atlas of Radiographic Positioning, 2nd Edition

The Bookshelf Direct Diagnosis in Radiology: Cardiac Imaging Claussen CD, Miller S, Fenchel M, Kramer U, and Riessen R. Stuttgart, Germany: Thieme; 20...

45KB Sizes 308 Downloads 3416 Views

The Bookshelf Direct Diagnosis in Radiology: Cardiac Imaging Claussen CD, Miller S, Fenchel M, Kramer U, and Riessen R. Stuttgart, Germany: Thieme; 2008. 312 pp, 257 illustrations, $59.95, paperback. Thieme’s entry on cardiac imaging in the Dx-Direct series is very impressive. Many factors (positive, of course) identified while reviewing this book prompted me to remark to myself that there would be many reasons to have this book in a radiology collection. That is really something, I think, because these reasons have a cumulative effect as well. The book is extremely portable and could fit in a lab coat pocket or bag quite easily. Its sections are very well organized and seem to represent an optimal mix of depth, breadth, and efficiency. The organization of the individual sections is also optimized (at least to me), with a combination of technical and clinical information that is well decorated (supplanted, if you will) with figures that include a wide variety of radiographic images, including three-dimensional renditions. Some of the illustrations are in color, and there are many helpful illustrations. One of the things that impressed me most was how easily the sections ‘‘read’’; it is deceptively difficult, I think, to create a highly efficient text (usually in ‘‘bullet format’’) that is easy to read. Moreover, I surmise that this text would be useful to radiologists at all levels of training and practice (presuming that they either perform cardiac imaging or would like to do so). There are also some fantastic graphs in the book, many of which can be found in the appendices. One subtle but (potentially) quite useful addition to this book is the detailed section listing abbreviations; in these days of acronym after acronym, it is nice to have a section like this. In terms of criticisms, I found that some of the images appeared ‘‘dated,’’ and I suggest that they be updated. Maybe it is also that some of the images were so good that it was surprising (shocking in some cases, at least to me) that by internal comparison, others were not as outstanding. Otherwise, I very much enjoyed this book. Book: Contents: ++++ Readability: ++++ Utility: ++++ Overall Evaluation: ++++

Grading Key: ++++ = excellent +++ = good ++ = fair + = poor

Utility: Medical Students: +++ Radiology Residents: ++++ Radiology Fellows (using cardiac imaging): ++++ General Practice Radiologists (using cardiac imaging): ++++

Mark E. Mullins, MD, PhD Department of Radiology Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta, GA

Pocket Atlas of Radiographic Positioning, 2nd Edition Moeller Torsten B, Reif Emil. 2nd Edition. New York: Thieme; 2009. 378 pp, 500 illustrations, $39.95, paperback. The second edition of the Pocket Atlas of Radiographic Positioning is one of a three-volume set that also includes the Pocket Atlas of Radiographic Anatomy and the Pocket Atlas of Sectional Anatomy. The book covers conventional imaging of the skull, spine, upper and lower extremities, chest, abdomen, breasts, and gastrointestinal tract. Angiographic exams, interventional exams, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are also included. The MRI and CT chapters are new in the second edition, and the chapter on mammography has been expanded. The book is coauthored by Drs Torsten Moeller and Emil Reif, of the Department of Radiology at Caritas Hospital in Dillingen, Germany, with collaboration from several additional authors. The book was originally written in German and has been translated to English. Some of the wording is unusual, and several projection names and positioning methods are unfamiliar (eg, the Clementschitsch method for the mandible, the Altschul method for the petrous ridges). Positioning instructions also use terms and abbreviations not commonly used in the United States. ‘‘Finger breadth’’ is used in many projections throughout the text to describe centering points or cassette placement. This term is both unfamiliar and imprecise. Additional editing to replace the awkward translations is desirable. Despite translation and terminology issues, the text is well organized, with all information for each position concisely presented. The images chosen for the routine radiographic studies are well positioned, and superimposed lines have been drawn to help identify pertinent anatomy. Additional sketches assist in the visualization of proper positioning, and the ‘‘Tips and Tricks’’ sections provide practical information to make exams easier. The chapters on the gastrointestinal tract, intravenous studies, angiography, CT, and MRI do not include images 677

THE BOOKSHELF

of all anatomic areas, nor are sketches provided to illustrate patient positioning. The CT and MRI chapters do, however, include imaging protocols and illustrations of anatomic boundaries for specific exams. Overall, the second edition of the Pocket Atlas of Radiographic Positioning provides detailed information that will assist radiographers in performing and evaluating a broad spectrum of radiographic procedures. The size of the book (378 pages, weighing 1.2 pounds) prevents it from truly being a ‘‘pocket’’ atlas, but it would serve as a good desk reference. Book: Contents: +++ Readability: ++

678

Academic Radiology, Vol 17, No 5, May 2010

Accuracy: +++ Utility: +++ Overall Evaluation:+++ Utility: Radiographers: +++ Medical Students: + Radiology Residents: ++ Radiology Fellows: ++ Radiologists: ++

Dawn Couch Moore, MMSc, RT(R) Medical Imaging Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA