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Ultrasonics in clinical diagnosis
profile within the vessel, which, along with a knowledge of vessel diameter should allow flow values to be obtained. On balance this is a useful book, but as far as the ultrasonic section is concerned, one for the physicist. The techniques are not heavily supported with clinical data but this is not surprising in view of the experimental and developmental nature of the subject. A. J. Hall
Ultrasonics in clinical diagnosis Edited by P. N. T. Wells Churchill
Livingstone,
Edinburgh
(1972)
200 pp f3.00
The preface of this book states that its aim is ‘to cover the ground in adequate depth’ to satisfy the requirements of candidates for the FFR, DMRD, MSR, and the higher examination of the Society of Radiographers. The book is set out in three parts, the first of which consists of two chapters by Professor P. N. T. Wells. The first of these covers basic physical principles and should be understood by most. The second chapter entitled diagnostic methods describes how the physical principles may be applied to clinical investigations, but does not make clear the different techniques which must be applied depending upon the display systems available. This is an unfortunate omission, and the description of compound scanning could be misunderstood by some. On page 30, for example, the statement that ‘an improved image is obtained if the probe is oscillated as it is moved around the patient’ is not necessarily true. The techniques of operating manual scanners have generally been omitted from text books and papers, and perhaps an opportunity has been missed here. The second part is comprised of six chapters contributed by specialists in the ultrasonic examination related to their own field. Professor D. N. White gives an up-to-date account of his work on midline echo-encephalography and includes a description of computerized analyses. Professor I. Donald has contributed an excellent chapter based on his long experience of ultrasonics applied to obstetrics and gynaecology. The section describing the valuable technique of fetal cephalometry is unfortunately inadequately illustrated by Fig.4.8 which for some inexplicable reason shows a ‘fetal head’ with anterior surface absent and a very doubtful ‘midline’. On page 85 it is stated that ‘measurement of the biparietal diameters must be very accurate to be of much clinical use’. This is certainly very true but the illustration does not fulfil these requirements. Professor Donald also gives much valuable information on scanning techniques in obstetrics. The chapter by McCarthy on scanning of the liver covers investigations carried out using one particular machine. As this is intended as a text book, this point should be understood by readers. One illustration in particular (Fig.6.12) is an excellent example of how to lose diagnostic information by compound scanning, and generally the illustrations in this section fall short of the standard now routinely achieved at many other centres. Two chapters on ophthalmology and cardiology are clearly written and excellently illustrated.
140
The third part is a chapter by Dr C. R. Hill on the biological effects of ultrasound, usefully bringing together the facts as they are known to date. As an experiment, this book was loaned to three colleagues. One was a surgeon, one an obstetrician, and the third a radiographer. All asked why there was such an obvious difference in apparent quality of the ultrasonograms used to illustrate the book. This brings us back to the point made above, that these differences might have been explained in chapter two, for the primary reasons are both instrumental and operator techniques. If this were corrected in future editions of the book it could enhance the usefulness of its entire contents to those people for whom it is intended. A. D. Christie
Books received 1972 ultrasonics symposium
proceedings
Edited by J. de Klerk
IEEE Group on Sonics and Ultrasonics,
New York
(1972)
496 pp 8 10.00.
The most remarkable thing about these IEEE proceedings is the speed at which they have been produced. The 1972 symposium was held in October and the proceedings were published just two months later! It is even more remarkable since the volume represents the IEEE’s first attempt at making a comprehensive record of the sympo sium. In the past only ‘invited’ papers were published and consequently a great deal of valuable information was lost. These proceedings contain approximately 75% of the presented material, while the sessions on surface waves have 100% documentation. The other sessions included are on: acoustic emission; biological, biomedical and medical ultrasonics; industrial applications; physical acoustics; acousto-optics; and ampllfIcation and acousto-electric effects. Therapie mit Ultraschail PraAis
Reihe ‘Fiir die medizinische
H. G. Knoch and K. Knauth Jena VEB
Gastav Fischer (1972)
191 pp DM 28.00
The book, written primarily for the physiotherapist, deals with ultrasonic therapy and is divided into two parts. In the first, the general principles are discussed, together with a detailed description of instruments and handling procedures. The second part looks at the application of ultrasonic therapy in orthopaedy, internal medicine and neurology.
Errata American
Society
thermometry
for Testing and Materials
meeting,
conference
report,
acoustical November
1972
pp 284-285 Page 285
Table 1.
Under columns headed ‘Lead-in waveguide’ and ‘Sensor material’ read Re (rhenium) instead of remendur
ULTRASONICS.
MAY
1973
Ultrasonics in clinical diagnosis Edited by P. N. T. Wells Churchill
Livingstone,
Edinburgh
(1972)
200 pp f3.00
The preface of this book states that its aim is ‘to cover the ground in adequate depth’ to satisfy the requirements of candidates for the FFR, DMRD, MSR, and the higher examination of the Society of Radiographers. The book is set out in three parts, the first of which consists of two chapters by Professor P. N. T. Wells. The first of these covers basic physical principles and should be understood by most. The second chapter entitled diagnostic methods describes how the physical principles may be applied to clinical investigations, but does not make clear the different techniques which must be applied depending upon the display systems available. This is an unfortunate omission, and the description of compound scanning could be misunderstood by some. On page 30, for example, the statement that ‘an improved image is obtained if the probe is oscillated as it is moved around the patient’ is not necessarily true. The techniques of operating manual scanners have generally been omitted from text books and papers, and perhaps an opportunity has been missed here. The second part is comprised of six chapters contributed by specialists in the ultrasonic examination related to their own field. Professor D. N. White gives an up-to-date account of his work on midline echo-encephalography and includes a description of computerized analyses. Professor I. Donald has contributed an excellent chapter based on his long experience of ultrasonics applied to obstetrics and gynaecology. The section describing the valuable technique of fetal cephalometry is unfortunately inadequately illustrated by Fig.4.8 which for some inexplicable reason shows a ‘fetal head’ with anterior surface absent and a very doubtful ‘midline’. On page 85 it is stated that ‘measurement of the biparietal diameters must be very accurate to be of much clinical use’. This is certainly very true but the illustration does not fulfil these requirements. Professor Donald also gives much valuable information on scanning techniques in obstetrics. The chapter by McCarthy on scanning of the liver covers investigations carried out using one particular machine. As this is intended as a text book, this point should be understood by readers. One illustration in particular (Fig.6.12) is an excellent example of how to lose diagnostic information by compound scanning, and generally the illustrations in this section fall short of the standard now routinely achieved at many other centres. Two chapters on ophthalmology and cardiology are clearly written and excellently illustrated.
140
The third part is a chapter by Dr C. R. Hill on the biological effects of ultrasound, usefully bringing together the facts as they are known to date. As an experiment, this book was loaned to three colleagues. One was a surgeon, one an obstetrician, and the third a radiographer. All asked why there was such an obvious difference in apparent quality of the ultrasonograms used to illustrate the book. This brings us back to the point made above, that these differences might have been explained in chapter two, for the primary reasons are both instrumental and operator techniques. If this were corrected in future editions of the book it could enhance the usefulness of its entire contents to those people for whom it is intended. A. D. Christie
Books received 1972 ultrasonics symposium
proceedings
Edited by J. de Klerk
IEEE Group on Sonics and Ultrasonics,
New York
(1972)
496 pp 8 10.00.
The most remarkable thing about these IEEE proceedings is the speed at which they have been produced. The 1972 symposium was held in October and the proceedings were published just two months later! It is even more remarkable since the volume represents the IEEE’s first attempt at making a comprehensive record of the sympo sium. In the past only ‘invited’ papers were published and consequently a great deal of valuable information was lost. These proceedings contain approximately 75% of the presented material, while the sessions on surface waves have 100% documentation. The other sessions included are on: acoustic emission; biological, biomedical and medical ultrasonics; industrial applications; physical acoustics; acousto-optics; and ampllfIcation and acousto-electric effects. Therapie mit Ultraschail PraAis
Reihe ‘Fiir die medizinische
H. G. Knoch and K. Knauth Jena VEB
Gastav Fischer (1972)
191 pp DM 28.00
The book, written primarily for the physiotherapist, deals with ultrasonic therapy and is divided into two parts. In the first, the general principles are discussed, together with a detailed description of instruments and handling procedures. The second part looks at the application of ultrasonic therapy in orthopaedy, internal medicine and neurology.
Errata American
Society
thermometry
for Testing and Materials
meeting,
conference
report,
acoustical November
1972
pp 284-285 Page 285
Table 1.
Under columns headed ‘Lead-in waveguide’ and ‘Sensor material’ read Re (rhenium) instead of remendur
ULTRASONICS.
MAY
1973