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Diagnostic Imaging: Abdomen

Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC 27710

 
By Michael P. Federle, R. Brooke Jeffrey, Terry S. Desser, et al. Salt Lake City, UT: Amirsys, 992 pp., 2004. $249

The mark of a high-quality reference text is the ability to provide pertinent information to the reader in an accessible format at a quick glance. That is exactly what the authors of the newest volume in the Diagnostic Imaging series, titled Diagnostic Imaging: Abdomen, have done. Dr. Federle and his contributing authors have created a highly accessible abdominal imaging reference text for both residents and practicing radiologists that is consistent with the format of the other volumes in the series.

The stated objective of the text is to serve as a "readable reference" of abdominal imaging for radiology residents and practicing physicians. Authored by preeminent experts in the field of abdominal imaging, this volume achieves that goal. In the Preface, Dr. Federle notes that this book represents a new approach to multiauthored texts; the contributors used a proprietary "authorizing" tool that allows uniformity of style and depth of coverage. Because there is no stylized prose, each chapter follows the same format as the last with easy-to-read bulleted points and clear outlines.

The 992-page book is organized into sections under three headings: GI Tract and Abdominal Cavity, Hepatobiliary and Pancreas, and Genitourinary and Retroperitoneum. Within each section, topics are subdivided into the organs or systems such as the liver, biliary system, and pancreas. At this level, the clinical entities are grouped in a standard format, including categories such as congenital; infection and inflammation; vascular; trauma; benign and malignant neoplasms; and, finally, miscellaneous.

At the beginning of each section is a highlighted primer termed "Introduction and Overview." This approximately four-page prologue is composed of an overview of important teaching points, including an abbreviated review of terminology and imaging issues; differential diagnosis; clinical applications; selected references; and pertinent images, referred to here as "Image Gallery."

After the Introduction and Overview, each section is then divided into mini chapters, each of which is composed of approximately four pages of pertinent bulleted information covering one topic. This information is divided into a standard format that includes terminology, imaging findings, differential diagnosis, pathology, clinical issues, diagnostic checklist, references, and Image Gallery. In addition, the authors have inserted a similarly highlighted "Key Facts" box that includes terminology, key imaging findings, top differential considerations, clinical issues, and a short diagnostic checklist.

Many of the subheadings found in this format are new to radiology texts. For example, the discussion of caustic gastroduodenal injury reviews the three phases of pathologic caustic injury and includes information about the known causes, the common clinical signs and symptoms, natural history, prognosis, and treatment. One of the finest features of this text is the inclusion of radiographic images of the clinical entities included in the differential diagnosis in its own well-identified section. For example, in the chapter on ischemic colitis, images of diverticulitis, pseudomembranous colitis, ulcerative colitis, and colon cancer are shown. Offering these images as comparison allows the reader an additional opportunity to better characterize the imaging features of the highlighted clinical entity. It also obviates all the cross-referencing of a traditional-style text.

As expected in a comprehensive review text, this book offers multitechnique imaging of each clinical entity including abdominal radiography, sonography, CT, and MRI. When indicated, the authors have included ERCP and angiography images. Also incorporated into the text are professionally rendered medical illustrations; photographs of gross pathologic specimens; and endoscopic and intraoperative photographs, many of which are in color, a rarity in medical texts. Additionally, the authors have labeled the radiology images as "Typical" or "Variant." Inclusion of alternative imaging appearances adds to the characterization of each diagnosis.

The one criticism of this text is the lesser status of the genitourinary system; the review of the gastrointestinal tract is far more comprehensive. The chapters covering the ureter are limited to congenital and infection, with the apparent omission of trauma and neoplasms. I look forward to additional genitourinary imaging in subsequent editions. Although the authors included the male genital tract, the female genital tract is not represented in this text. Dedicated obstetric and gynecologic texts are in progress and are expected to be published in the next few years.

In summary, Diagnostic Imaging: Abdomen is a beautifully illustrated comprehensive imaging review text of abdominal imaging that would be a welcome addition to any reading room or resident library.

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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 Jaffe, T. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Jaffe, T. Social Bookmarking                      What's this?