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Tropical Infectious Diseases: Epidemiology, Investigation, Diagnosis and Management
Pathology (2002 ) 34, pp. 203– 205
BOOK
REVIEWS
Color Atlas of Cancer Cytology: Third Edition MASAYOSHI TAKAHASHI. Igaku-Shoin, Tokyo, 2000. ISBN 4-260-14348-4, Hardcover, pp xvi + 477, US$225 The Color Atlas of Cancer Cytology has now been published in its third edition, nearly 20 years after the second edition. Although the title suggests that this is a typical atlas that is dominated by the number of pictures with only minimal text, it attempts to be more than that. This book is the result of a collaborative effort between Japanese and US authors and covers all aspects of cytology including exfoliative and fine needle aspiration cytology, and gynaecological cytology. The book is divided into two parts. The first part comprises approximately 45 pages and deals with general principles of immunocytochemistry, cytological DNA content and cell cycle analysis, chromosom e analyses and fluorescence and in situ hybridisation. The major part ( Part 2, entitled ‘Practical Cytology of Organs’) comprises approximately 420 pages. Each chapter commences with a short introduction that discusses technical aspects of specimen collection and preparation of smears. This is followed by a description of the cytopathology of the main entities for each organ. It is here where this ‘color atlas’ does not reach its target. Each entity is described and summarised in a rather bland, non-critical fashion, with simple listing of facts without any critical appraisal. In addition, the text is not really up to date; most references originate from the 1960s through to the 1980s, with only few references from the early to mid 90s. The impression the reader may get is that of a somewhat outdated textbook that is certainly beautifully illustrated but unfortunately fails to appreciate new findings and developments that are crucial for everyday cytology practice. For example, although nearly 80 pages are spent on the cytopathology of the female genital tract, there is hardly any mention of automated cytology or liquid phase ( ThinPrep ) preparations of cytological material. Furthermore, the discussion on differential diagnosis of adenocarcinom a versus mesothelioma in pleural fluid specimens is outdated, with no mention of newer and very important antibodies such as calretinin and thrombomodulin which are commonly used, even in cytological practice. Although the text is rather lengthy, important developments such as new classification ( e.g., WHO classification of lung tumour) are not mentioned. Also, there is some sloppy terminology, such as ‘benign mesothelioma’ and ‘hepatoma’ without clarification and, once again, critical discussion. Finally, I would expect a more ‘hands-on’ practical approach in an atlas that is to be used as a ‘bench manual’ for quick reference, for example by brief and succinct discussion of difficult differential diagnosis between common entities. This is not provided in this text and one has to look quite hard for the relevant information. If one compares the layout of this atlas with other well-established atlases or manuals of cytology, one can clearly recognise the difference. In summary, although the current edition of this colour atlas is beautifully illustrated with high quality black-and-white and colour photographs, it does not fulfil its purpose, either as a helpful atlas or as a text book/atlas combination. Jurgen Stahl Department of Anatomical Pathology, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA
Tropical Infectious Diseases: Epidemiology, Investigation, Diagnosis and Management RANJAN L. FERNANDO, SUJATHA S. E. FERNANDO, ANTHONY S-Y. LEONG. Greenwich Medical Media Limited, London, 2001. ISBN 1-900-151-39-1, Hardcover, pp xiv + 331, AU$ 158.40 There have been several new publications in the last 5 years dealing with diseases, especially infectious ones, prevalent in tropical countries, challenging the often-made claim that the subject, as a formal discipline, is dead. Until recently, the student or physician had no real option but to rely on a tiny number of encyclopaedic volumes like Manson’s Tropical Diseases, which do not necessarily suit all purposes, but now there is a reasonable choice.
This latest addition to the range has been written by three senior practitioners, a specialist physician and two pathologists, all now resident in Australia but with extensive experience in tropical countries and distinguished records in the diagnosis and management of these diseases. The presentation is traditional, with most chapters devoted to a single organism or family of organisms, and the emphasis is on parasites, which make up about two-thirds of the book. The chapters covering bacteria and viruses in general treat only classical diseases which are now relatively uncommon in non-tropical countries, such as the enteric fevers, with the notable exception of some rickettsial and arboviral infections which are endemic in parts of Australia. Each is laid out in a similar format, with a description of the agent, a synopsis of typical clinical features, a brief account of the usual macroscopic and microscopic pathology, a summary of useful laboratory and radiological investigations, a discussion of treatment, and miscellaneous information about epidemiology and prevention. The scope is comprehensive with only a few important omissions; for example, fungal diseases other than superficial mycoses, and newly recognised viruses such as Nipah virus and Australian bat lyssavirus are not addressed. The layout is admirable, with frequent useful tables and diagrams, and the illustrations are all clear and helpful. The quality of photography ( black-and-white only) is excellent and the particular features to which the authors refer are easily recognisable. Brief illustrative case histories give an additional integrative perspective. The approach is especially suitable for medical and nursing students encountering these diseases for the first time, for temperate-climate clinicians intending to work in tropical countries or who work with immigrants or travellers likely to present with these diseases, or for those who simply need to brush up their knowledge. Specialist and trainee microbiologists and anatomical pathologists will need more detail than can be contained in such a wide-ranging mid-size volume, but will find it a useful summary guide. Similarly, clinicians using the book as a first line reference will often need to consolidate the information given by reference to weightier texts of narrower scope. There is a clear bias to an Australian perspective on these conditions, but the authors have taken on the difficult task of recognising that the readership will have a wide variety of demands and access to medical facilities of very different levels of sophistication. In general, this has worked well, though inevitably there are some areas ( notably in treatments) where it is impossible come up with recommendations which will suit all conditions. The authors show an extremely wide understanding of the conditions which they describe and, more importantly, have been able to package the information in a very concise and sensible manner, with an emphasis on practicality. Students of all levels of experience will be well served by the book which makes a welcome contribution to the understanding of this still overlooked subject. Colin MacLeod Microbiology Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW
Tumors of the Soft Tissues. Atlas of Tumor Pathology: Third Series, Fascicle 30 RICHARD L. KEMPSON, CHRISTOPHER D. M. FLETCHER, HARRY L. EVANS, MICHAEL R. HENDRICKSON AND RICHARD K. SIBLEY. Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington DC, 2001. ISBN 0-881041-60-3 , Softcover, pp 507, US$105 + postage This Tumors of the Soft Tissues fascicle has been long awaited. The second series version by Raffaele Lattes was published almost two decades ago and much has changed since. This third series fascicle is twice as long, with 507 pages dispersed as 11 chapters and written by five respected experts in soft tissue pathology, four from Stamford and an expatriate Englishman in
ISSN 0031–3025 printed/ISSN 1465– 3931 online/02/020203 – 03 © 2002 Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia DOI:10.1080/003130201201117000
BOOK
REVIEWS
Color Atlas of Cancer Cytology: Third Edition MASAYOSHI TAKAHASHI. Igaku-Shoin, Tokyo, 2000. ISBN 4-260-14348-4, Hardcover, pp xvi + 477, US$225 The Color Atlas of Cancer Cytology has now been published in its third edition, nearly 20 years after the second edition. Although the title suggests that this is a typical atlas that is dominated by the number of pictures with only minimal text, it attempts to be more than that. This book is the result of a collaborative effort between Japanese and US authors and covers all aspects of cytology including exfoliative and fine needle aspiration cytology, and gynaecological cytology. The book is divided into two parts. The first part comprises approximately 45 pages and deals with general principles of immunocytochemistry, cytological DNA content and cell cycle analysis, chromosom e analyses and fluorescence and in situ hybridisation. The major part ( Part 2, entitled ‘Practical Cytology of Organs’) comprises approximately 420 pages. Each chapter commences with a short introduction that discusses technical aspects of specimen collection and preparation of smears. This is followed by a description of the cytopathology of the main entities for each organ. It is here where this ‘color atlas’ does not reach its target. Each entity is described and summarised in a rather bland, non-critical fashion, with simple listing of facts without any critical appraisal. In addition, the text is not really up to date; most references originate from the 1960s through to the 1980s, with only few references from the early to mid 90s. The impression the reader may get is that of a somewhat outdated textbook that is certainly beautifully illustrated but unfortunately fails to appreciate new findings and developments that are crucial for everyday cytology practice. For example, although nearly 80 pages are spent on the cytopathology of the female genital tract, there is hardly any mention of automated cytology or liquid phase ( ThinPrep ) preparations of cytological material. Furthermore, the discussion on differential diagnosis of adenocarcinom a versus mesothelioma in pleural fluid specimens is outdated, with no mention of newer and very important antibodies such as calretinin and thrombomodulin which are commonly used, even in cytological practice. Although the text is rather lengthy, important developments such as new classification ( e.g., WHO classification of lung tumour) are not mentioned. Also, there is some sloppy terminology, such as ‘benign mesothelioma’ and ‘hepatoma’ without clarification and, once again, critical discussion. Finally, I would expect a more ‘hands-on’ practical approach in an atlas that is to be used as a ‘bench manual’ for quick reference, for example by brief and succinct discussion of difficult differential diagnosis between common entities. This is not provided in this text and one has to look quite hard for the relevant information. If one compares the layout of this atlas with other well-established atlases or manuals of cytology, one can clearly recognise the difference. In summary, although the current edition of this colour atlas is beautifully illustrated with high quality black-and-white and colour photographs, it does not fulfil its purpose, either as a helpful atlas or as a text book/atlas combination. Jurgen Stahl Department of Anatomical Pathology, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA
Tropical Infectious Diseases: Epidemiology, Investigation, Diagnosis and Management RANJAN L. FERNANDO, SUJATHA S. E. FERNANDO, ANTHONY S-Y. LEONG. Greenwich Medical Media Limited, London, 2001. ISBN 1-900-151-39-1, Hardcover, pp xiv + 331, AU$ 158.40 There have been several new publications in the last 5 years dealing with diseases, especially infectious ones, prevalent in tropical countries, challenging the often-made claim that the subject, as a formal discipline, is dead. Until recently, the student or physician had no real option but to rely on a tiny number of encyclopaedic volumes like Manson’s Tropical Diseases, which do not necessarily suit all purposes, but now there is a reasonable choice.
This latest addition to the range has been written by three senior practitioners, a specialist physician and two pathologists, all now resident in Australia but with extensive experience in tropical countries and distinguished records in the diagnosis and management of these diseases. The presentation is traditional, with most chapters devoted to a single organism or family of organisms, and the emphasis is on parasites, which make up about two-thirds of the book. The chapters covering bacteria and viruses in general treat only classical diseases which are now relatively uncommon in non-tropical countries, such as the enteric fevers, with the notable exception of some rickettsial and arboviral infections which are endemic in parts of Australia. Each is laid out in a similar format, with a description of the agent, a synopsis of typical clinical features, a brief account of the usual macroscopic and microscopic pathology, a summary of useful laboratory and radiological investigations, a discussion of treatment, and miscellaneous information about epidemiology and prevention. The scope is comprehensive with only a few important omissions; for example, fungal diseases other than superficial mycoses, and newly recognised viruses such as Nipah virus and Australian bat lyssavirus are not addressed. The layout is admirable, with frequent useful tables and diagrams, and the illustrations are all clear and helpful. The quality of photography ( black-and-white only) is excellent and the particular features to which the authors refer are easily recognisable. Brief illustrative case histories give an additional integrative perspective. The approach is especially suitable for medical and nursing students encountering these diseases for the first time, for temperate-climate clinicians intending to work in tropical countries or who work with immigrants or travellers likely to present with these diseases, or for those who simply need to brush up their knowledge. Specialist and trainee microbiologists and anatomical pathologists will need more detail than can be contained in such a wide-ranging mid-size volume, but will find it a useful summary guide. Similarly, clinicians using the book as a first line reference will often need to consolidate the information given by reference to weightier texts of narrower scope. There is a clear bias to an Australian perspective on these conditions, but the authors have taken on the difficult task of recognising that the readership will have a wide variety of demands and access to medical facilities of very different levels of sophistication. In general, this has worked well, though inevitably there are some areas ( notably in treatments) where it is impossible come up with recommendations which will suit all conditions. The authors show an extremely wide understanding of the conditions which they describe and, more importantly, have been able to package the information in a very concise and sensible manner, with an emphasis on practicality. Students of all levels of experience will be well served by the book which makes a welcome contribution to the understanding of this still overlooked subject. Colin MacLeod Microbiology Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW
Tumors of the Soft Tissues. Atlas of Tumor Pathology: Third Series, Fascicle 30 RICHARD L. KEMPSON, CHRISTOPHER D. M. FLETCHER, HARRY L. EVANS, MICHAEL R. HENDRICKSON AND RICHARD K. SIBLEY. Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington DC, 2001. ISBN 0-881041-60-3 , Softcover, pp 507, US$105 + postage This Tumors of the Soft Tissues fascicle has been long awaited. The second series version by Raffaele Lattes was published almost two decades ago and much has changed since. This third series fascicle is twice as long, with 507 pages dispersed as 11 chapters and written by five respected experts in soft tissue pathology, four from Stamford and an expatriate Englishman in
ISSN 0031–3025 printed/ISSN 1465– 3931 online/02/020203 – 03 © 2002 Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia DOI:10.1080/003130201201117000