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Radiologische diagnostik der harnorgane
Book reviews
197
techniques of vaginal surgery, as used in the leading gynecologic centers in Austria. The book sets out with the anatomy of the female pelvis. This chapter written by Platzer, is both in text and illustrations, one of thefinest publications on gynecologicanatomy everprinted. Attention is paid particularly to theinnervation and vascularization of the pelvic organs and their topographic relationship. The greater part of the book is occupied by a detailed description of vaginal operations. Here the authors purposefully imposed restrictions upon themselves. This has been done on account of an opinion given by Frisch that a textbook of gynecologic surgery should never be a history book and that the presentation of one good method prevails over a recapitulation of all the preceding methods. Some of the procedures have been originated and developed by Austrians and the names of Schauta, Amreich, Pernkopf, Antoine and Navratil get the credit they deserve. This limitation has its weak point, too. This is not an inexpensive book. The title does not set restrictions. And one is tempted to consider this valuable edition as the standard work on vaginal surgery. Thus it is a pity that the rectovaginal fistulas and the methods of repair thereof are completely omitted. In the chapter on the surgical construction of an artificialvagina no reference has been made to the names of Davydov and Williams. And as vaginal sterilization techniques, only the methods of Irving and Pomeroyhave been mentioned. These criticizing notes, though, do not take away the merits of this beautiful work. Whoever wants instruction in vaginal surgery will find this book indispensable. The skilled gynecologic surgeon could use it as a reliable guide to discern the specific difficulties and the tricky pitfalls inherent in the vaginal way of intervention. The brilhant illustrations have been produced by the skilful hand of Franz Batke. The book should be available in every gynecologic teaching hospital. J. G. Stolk, Nijmegen
Praktische
Lokalaniisthesie,
ein Kompendium,
Hans Georg Auberger Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, (ix+ 147 pp., 135 Figs.) DM 12.80
1974
3. Aufl.
Although this monograph covers local anesthesia of the whole of the human body, it is written by a gynecologist. The general part gives good information about the different drugs which are available for local anesthesia, with their specific qualities. Dangerous general side effects are discussed, as well as some general technical aspects. Only a small part of the book is important for the obstetrician and the gynecologist. For gynecological operations local anestheisa is only advised in exceptional circumstances. For the obstetrician the techniques of pudendal and paracervical anesthesia are fully described. For more difficult techniques as peridural and intradural anesthesia this book is only of value as an introduction in this complicated matter. The technique of the paravertebral anesthesia is not described. The figures are clear and instructive. For obstetricians and gynecologists who are interested in anesthetic techniques the American and English literature gives better information. L. A. Schellekens,
Radiologische
Diagnostik
Heerlen
der Harnorgane
E. Vogler (ed.) Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, (xvi + 872 pp., 840 Figs.) DM 368, -
1974
An important consideration in the practice of medicine is the joy of understanding of normal functional anatomy, alterations produced by disease, and the application of this knowledge with confidence to the patient. In respect of the urinary tract diagnostics, radiology and nuclear medicine have much to offer. The object of the editor in presenting this textbook is to provide a survey of the present position of uroradiology, which is becoming an increasingly complex specialty and it is difficult for one person to be equally expert in all its branches. Vogler is fortunate therefore in having the help of 10 collaborators (University of Graz); this makes the work the more authoritative and of great value not only to the post-graduate student of radiology, but also to the clinician.
198
A logical and systematic presentation characterizes this book, which is divided into 15 chapters. The three opening chapters are devoted to anatomy, embryology and physiology of the kidneys and urinary tract. Chapter 4 deals with roentgenographic and radioisotopic investigation methods. Various chapters cover all the urological lesions and there is a special chapter for renal transplantation. In addition E. Vogler and K. Kammerhuber have contributed a significant chapter dealing with roentgenographic examination in obstetrics and gynecology. The effects of radiotherapy in treatment of cancer of female sex organs is fully discussed in chapter 13. The last chapter summarizes the available knowledge of renal osteodystrophy. Although ultrasonic energy has nothing to do with X-rays or any other form of ionizing radiation from the electromagnetic spectrum, I miss the chapter of ultrasonics in urology as an adjuvant technique to radiography, which may yield additional information of value to the clinician. The quality of reproduction of the radiographs is excellent, and almost without exception the features referred to in the text are demonstrated clearly. It is nice to be able to read a book with so many illustrations without having constantly to refer backwards or forwards to find the appropriate picture. The bibliographies at the close of each chapter are extensive. Because it is based on clinical experience, this splendid book should be of considerable help not only to radiologists and urologists, but to all specialists who are involved with the care of patients with urologic diseases. Therefore the book cannot be too highly praised and will undoubtedly be a valuable work of reference; the price is likely to preclude individuals from buying a personal copy. I would recommend this book for a departmental library. A. J. J. de Bruin, Nijmegen
The Placenta
Biological and clinical aspects K. S. Moghissi and E. S. E. Hafez (eds.) Charles C Thomas, Springfield, Ill., 1974 (xvi+406 pp., 162 Figs., 30 Tables) US$ 29.50
Book reviews
This volume represents the Proceedings of the Eighth Harold C Mack Symposium on the biological and clinical aspects of the placenta. In Part I, 40 pages are devoted to the relation of the ultrastructure of the placenta and its function (Panigel) and the surface structure of the human placenta (Ludwig). Part II describes the transport and exchange mechanisms in’. 140 pages. Only one lecture is devoted to uteroplacental circulation and its regulation (Caton). Unfortunately this lecture does not cover the more recent data acquired by the technique of the microspheres. Excellent reviews of the general characteristics of transplacental exchange and of placental transfer of carbon dioxide are presented by Meschia and Longo. Glucose metabolism of the pregnant uterus and the fetus is described by Crenshaw et al. Protein transport and turnover between amniotic fluid, maternal and fetal circulation are particularly interesting (Gitlin). In Part III the metabolic and endocrine systems are covered in 124 pages. Nebert draws attention to the genetic and environmental factors affecting placental and fetal metabolism of xenobiotics. The term xenobiotics refers to drugs, polycyclic hydrocarbons, insecticides, food preservatives, cleansers, pesticides, herbicides, alkaloids, and terpenes. This lecture is a warrant for the clinician prescribing drugs during pregnancy. “It will be emphasized that numerous endogenous compounds share a common property with most of these xenobiotics (i.e. high lipid solubility) and that because of this characteristic the endogenous and xenobiotic compounds share, and perhaps compete for similar metabolic pathways”. The synthesis of steroid hormones by the placenta (Siiteri et al.) is progressively rising throughout gestation in normal pregnancy but a decline in the metabolic clearance rate of dehydroisoandrosterone sulfate occurs several weeks prior to the development of the clinical symptoms of preeclampsia. Ross gives an excellent assay on the biological and immunological effects of human chorionic gonadotropin in vivo and in vitro. Placental lactogen and prolactin secretion in human pregnancy are described by Tyson et al. Particularly interesting are the findings on prolactin secretion in the female and prolactin concentrations in polyhydramnios. Hennen found evidence for a thyroid stimulator in normal and abnormal human chori-
197
techniques of vaginal surgery, as used in the leading gynecologic centers in Austria. The book sets out with the anatomy of the female pelvis. This chapter written by Platzer, is both in text and illustrations, one of thefinest publications on gynecologicanatomy everprinted. Attention is paid particularly to theinnervation and vascularization of the pelvic organs and their topographic relationship. The greater part of the book is occupied by a detailed description of vaginal operations. Here the authors purposefully imposed restrictions upon themselves. This has been done on account of an opinion given by Frisch that a textbook of gynecologic surgery should never be a history book and that the presentation of one good method prevails over a recapitulation of all the preceding methods. Some of the procedures have been originated and developed by Austrians and the names of Schauta, Amreich, Pernkopf, Antoine and Navratil get the credit they deserve. This limitation has its weak point, too. This is not an inexpensive book. The title does not set restrictions. And one is tempted to consider this valuable edition as the standard work on vaginal surgery. Thus it is a pity that the rectovaginal fistulas and the methods of repair thereof are completely omitted. In the chapter on the surgical construction of an artificialvagina no reference has been made to the names of Davydov and Williams. And as vaginal sterilization techniques, only the methods of Irving and Pomeroyhave been mentioned. These criticizing notes, though, do not take away the merits of this beautiful work. Whoever wants instruction in vaginal surgery will find this book indispensable. The skilled gynecologic surgeon could use it as a reliable guide to discern the specific difficulties and the tricky pitfalls inherent in the vaginal way of intervention. The brilhant illustrations have been produced by the skilful hand of Franz Batke. The book should be available in every gynecologic teaching hospital. J. G. Stolk, Nijmegen
Praktische
Lokalaniisthesie,
ein Kompendium,
Hans Georg Auberger Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, (ix+ 147 pp., 135 Figs.) DM 12.80
1974
3. Aufl.
Although this monograph covers local anesthesia of the whole of the human body, it is written by a gynecologist. The general part gives good information about the different drugs which are available for local anesthesia, with their specific qualities. Dangerous general side effects are discussed, as well as some general technical aspects. Only a small part of the book is important for the obstetrician and the gynecologist. For gynecological operations local anestheisa is only advised in exceptional circumstances. For the obstetrician the techniques of pudendal and paracervical anesthesia are fully described. For more difficult techniques as peridural and intradural anesthesia this book is only of value as an introduction in this complicated matter. The technique of the paravertebral anesthesia is not described. The figures are clear and instructive. For obstetricians and gynecologists who are interested in anesthetic techniques the American and English literature gives better information. L. A. Schellekens,
Radiologische
Diagnostik
Heerlen
der Harnorgane
E. Vogler (ed.) Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, (xvi + 872 pp., 840 Figs.) DM 368, -
1974
An important consideration in the practice of medicine is the joy of understanding of normal functional anatomy, alterations produced by disease, and the application of this knowledge with confidence to the patient. In respect of the urinary tract diagnostics, radiology and nuclear medicine have much to offer. The object of the editor in presenting this textbook is to provide a survey of the present position of uroradiology, which is becoming an increasingly complex specialty and it is difficult for one person to be equally expert in all its branches. Vogler is fortunate therefore in having the help of 10 collaborators (University of Graz); this makes the work the more authoritative and of great value not only to the post-graduate student of radiology, but also to the clinician.
198
A logical and systematic presentation characterizes this book, which is divided into 15 chapters. The three opening chapters are devoted to anatomy, embryology and physiology of the kidneys and urinary tract. Chapter 4 deals with roentgenographic and radioisotopic investigation methods. Various chapters cover all the urological lesions and there is a special chapter for renal transplantation. In addition E. Vogler and K. Kammerhuber have contributed a significant chapter dealing with roentgenographic examination in obstetrics and gynecology. The effects of radiotherapy in treatment of cancer of female sex organs is fully discussed in chapter 13. The last chapter summarizes the available knowledge of renal osteodystrophy. Although ultrasonic energy has nothing to do with X-rays or any other form of ionizing radiation from the electromagnetic spectrum, I miss the chapter of ultrasonics in urology as an adjuvant technique to radiography, which may yield additional information of value to the clinician. The quality of reproduction of the radiographs is excellent, and almost without exception the features referred to in the text are demonstrated clearly. It is nice to be able to read a book with so many illustrations without having constantly to refer backwards or forwards to find the appropriate picture. The bibliographies at the close of each chapter are extensive. Because it is based on clinical experience, this splendid book should be of considerable help not only to radiologists and urologists, but to all specialists who are involved with the care of patients with urologic diseases. Therefore the book cannot be too highly praised and will undoubtedly be a valuable work of reference; the price is likely to preclude individuals from buying a personal copy. I would recommend this book for a departmental library. A. J. J. de Bruin, Nijmegen
The Placenta
Biological and clinical aspects K. S. Moghissi and E. S. E. Hafez (eds.) Charles C Thomas, Springfield, Ill., 1974 (xvi+406 pp., 162 Figs., 30 Tables) US$ 29.50
Book reviews
This volume represents the Proceedings of the Eighth Harold C Mack Symposium on the biological and clinical aspects of the placenta. In Part I, 40 pages are devoted to the relation of the ultrastructure of the placenta and its function (Panigel) and the surface structure of the human placenta (Ludwig). Part II describes the transport and exchange mechanisms in’. 140 pages. Only one lecture is devoted to uteroplacental circulation and its regulation (Caton). Unfortunately this lecture does not cover the more recent data acquired by the technique of the microspheres. Excellent reviews of the general characteristics of transplacental exchange and of placental transfer of carbon dioxide are presented by Meschia and Longo. Glucose metabolism of the pregnant uterus and the fetus is described by Crenshaw et al. Protein transport and turnover between amniotic fluid, maternal and fetal circulation are particularly interesting (Gitlin). In Part III the metabolic and endocrine systems are covered in 124 pages. Nebert draws attention to the genetic and environmental factors affecting placental and fetal metabolism of xenobiotics. The term xenobiotics refers to drugs, polycyclic hydrocarbons, insecticides, food preservatives, cleansers, pesticides, herbicides, alkaloids, and terpenes. This lecture is a warrant for the clinician prescribing drugs during pregnancy. “It will be emphasized that numerous endogenous compounds share a common property with most of these xenobiotics (i.e. high lipid solubility) and that because of this characteristic the endogenous and xenobiotic compounds share, and perhaps compete for similar metabolic pathways”. The synthesis of steroid hormones by the placenta (Siiteri et al.) is progressively rising throughout gestation in normal pregnancy but a decline in the metabolic clearance rate of dehydroisoandrosterone sulfate occurs several weeks prior to the development of the clinical symptoms of preeclampsia. Ross gives an excellent assay on the biological and immunological effects of human chorionic gonadotropin in vivo and in vitro. Placental lactogen and prolactin secretion in human pregnancy are described by Tyson et al. Particularly interesting are the findings on prolactin secretion in the female and prolactin concentrations in polyhydramnios. Hennen found evidence for a thyroid stimulator in normal and abnormal human chori-