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Applied Radiological Anatomy.

¹ Lahey Clinic Burlington, MA 01805
² Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Boston, MA 02215

Edited by Paul Butler, Adam W.M. Mitchell, and Harold Ellis. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 441 pp., 1999. $200

If you would like to review books for AJR, please send a cover letter stating your interest with a current curriculum vitae to Assistant Editor for Book Reviews, AJR, 101 S. Stratford Rd., Ste. 303, Winston-Salem, NC 27104.

Before learning to recognize and accurately characterize various forms of pathology on imaging studies, radiologists in training must first develop a sound knowledge of normal radiologic anatomy and the range of normal variation. In recognition of the need for up-to-date multimodality descriptions of normal radiologic anatomy, editors Paul Butler, Adam Mitchell, and Harold Ellis, along with numerous contributors, have constructed an ambitious single-volume text that provides an overview of normal radiologic anatomy and promotes an understanding of the current roles of various imaging techniques in the assessment of all organ systems of the body.

Applied Radiological Anatomy begins with a practical chapter on surface anatomy. This chapter includes a discussion of skeletal landmarks that are important for accurate patient positioning, a description of anatomic levels that facilitate accurate localization, and a review of sites of vascular access that are of practical importance for interventional procedures. The subsequent 17 chapters are devoted to individual organ systems. These chapters begin with brief descriptions of current imaging procedures pertinent to the organ system of interest, followed by a detailed description of normal radiologic anatomy as shown on multiple imaging techniques. Two final chapters are devoted to obstetric and pediatric anatomy.

The text is complemented by a wealth of well-labeled illustrations from conventional radiography, angiography, barium studies, mammography, CT, sonography, and MR imaging. An effective illustrative method used throughout the text is the presentation of serial cross-sectional images accompanied by labeled line drawings. Such paired illustrations allow the reader to review the images independently or in conjunction with the labeled diagrams. Although the large number of illustrations is indeed a highlight of this text, many of these images are displayed in such a diminutive size that they are difficult to see. Although the cross-sectional imaging illustrations are generally characterized by high-quality reproductions, considerable variability exists in the quality of images obtained from skeletal radiographs, chest radiographs, and mammograms.

The text content is accurate, comprehensive, and largely up-to-date. The book is clearly written and mostly well organized. However, reading this book chapter by chapter is somewhat cumbersome because of the dense layout of the text and numerous closely positioned and occasionally small illustrations. These factors presumably reflect space constraints. The use of larger font and image size and the addition of tables that summarize key points of discussion would have made the text more "reader friendly." Perhaps future editions of this text should comprise two volumes to accommodate such changes.

In summary, Applied Radiological Anatomy is a comprehensive, abundantly illustrated, up-to-date review of normal radiologic anatomy. The text will likely serve as a helpful guide to radiology residents and as a useful reference book for both residents and practicing radiologists. Although the wealth of information provided in this book is worth the $200 cost, this price may prove too expensive for many residents. Because this book is likely to be a helpful reference resource, it would make a useful addition to the library of any radiology department.

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This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hitt, R. A. Articles by Boiselle, P. M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Hitt, R. A. Articles by Boiselle, P. M. Social Bookmarking                      What's this?