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Radiological Investigation in Rheumatology, (Clinics in Rheumatic Diseases, Vol. 9)
103
professions allied to Medicine that have to deal with ankle and foot problems. contains easy to understand illustrations that are lucid and straightforward.
It
C. Wynn Parry Royal National Orthopaedic, Hospital, Gt. Portland St., London Wl (Great Britain)
Radiological I~~esti~ati~~ in Rhe~rn~t~~~~, (Clinics in Rheumatic Diseases, Vol. 9). edited by D.M. Forrester and J.C. Brown, Saunders, Philadelphia, 1983, 488 pp., & 11.75.
This separate edition of one of the ‘Clinics’ forms a useful monograph on the current state of imaging in the rheumatic disorders. In dealing personally with the plain film changes, the editors do less than justice to the subject, presumably because of lack of space and emphasis later in the volume on newer modalities. Nevertheless, radiography remains the cornerstone of the diagnosis of arthritis and deserves less pedestrian handling. Useful articles provide updates on the present position of HLA B27 and its correlation with radiographic abnormalities; an all too brief chapter on the radiography of the sacro-iliac joints is complemented by one on CT in sacro-iliitis by camera. I found it hard to believe however that the abnormality in Fig. 11 was associated with a normal conventional film; perhaps he was wise not to provide us with the radiograph. In Ch. 4 the authors communicate their enthusiasm for 67-Ga scans in the diagnosis of septic arthritis. Their clear separation of infected and non-infected joints is not in keeping with all reports in the literature, but their clear protocol demands respect; a larger series would be welcomed. A chapter comprising a series of 7 case reports on the differential diagnosis of hip pain provides useful teaching points, regrettably (though not always admitted by the authors) mostly reflecting primary clinical or radiological errors and omissions. An excellent review of CT in spinal stenosis and disease of the facet joints is provided in 25 pages, whilst a short chapter on the limited use of sonography reflects the authors’ interests and does not discuss spinal stenosis or tendon rupture as regions for its application. A short article on NMR gives a simple explanation of theory and practice, but in this rapidly advancing field I fear it is already out of date. In a somewhat courageous chapter entitled ‘Medicine or Meddling; Use of Arthrography in Rheumatology’, Daniel Rosenthal answers his own question. This book can be recognised as a good and profitable read for anyone wishing to know about the current state of imaging in this field. Dennis
Stoker
professions allied to Medicine that have to deal with ankle and foot problems. contains easy to understand illustrations that are lucid and straightforward.
It
C. Wynn Parry Royal National Orthopaedic, Hospital, Gt. Portland St., London Wl (Great Britain)
Radiological I~~esti~ati~~ in Rhe~rn~t~~~~, (Clinics in Rheumatic Diseases, Vol. 9). edited by D.M. Forrester and J.C. Brown, Saunders, Philadelphia, 1983, 488 pp., & 11.75.
This separate edition of one of the ‘Clinics’ forms a useful monograph on the current state of imaging in the rheumatic disorders. In dealing personally with the plain film changes, the editors do less than justice to the subject, presumably because of lack of space and emphasis later in the volume on newer modalities. Nevertheless, radiography remains the cornerstone of the diagnosis of arthritis and deserves less pedestrian handling. Useful articles provide updates on the present position of HLA B27 and its correlation with radiographic abnormalities; an all too brief chapter on the radiography of the sacro-iliac joints is complemented by one on CT in sacro-iliitis by camera. I found it hard to believe however that the abnormality in Fig. 11 was associated with a normal conventional film; perhaps he was wise not to provide us with the radiograph. In Ch. 4 the authors communicate their enthusiasm for 67-Ga scans in the diagnosis of septic arthritis. Their clear separation of infected and non-infected joints is not in keeping with all reports in the literature, but their clear protocol demands respect; a larger series would be welcomed. A chapter comprising a series of 7 case reports on the differential diagnosis of hip pain provides useful teaching points, regrettably (though not always admitted by the authors) mostly reflecting primary clinical or radiological errors and omissions. An excellent review of CT in spinal stenosis and disease of the facet joints is provided in 25 pages, whilst a short chapter on the limited use of sonography reflects the authors’ interests and does not discuss spinal stenosis or tendon rupture as regions for its application. A short article on NMR gives a simple explanation of theory and practice, but in this rapidly advancing field I fear it is already out of date. In a somewhat courageous chapter entitled ‘Medicine or Meddling; Use of Arthrography in Rheumatology’, Daniel Rosenthal answers his own question. This book can be recognised as a good and profitable read for anyone wishing to know about the current state of imaging in this field. Dennis
Stoker