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Abdominal Ultrasound. By M Stocksley, pp. xi + 286, 2001 (Greenwich Medical Media Limited, London), £35.00 ISBN 1-90015-166-9

This is the book I wish had been available when I started working with ultrasound. However, that was 30 years ago and the advice, pictures and comment contained in this book are the result of that 30 years of development in the use and practice of abdominal ultrasound, coupled with massive developments in equipment.

Such developments would not have happened without the enthusiastic teaching of a select band. The author, Mike Stocksley, is one such enthusiast and this book ably reflects his dedication to the subject. The book is aimed at the ultrasonographer in training as well as the radiologist in training. The style of writing is very easy to read. Each chapter is amply illustrated with excellent line drawings and ultrasound images. Both are of very high quality.

The next is written in a very lucid manner with an easy progression leading through a discussion of a condition from clinical features to ultrasound appearances. The chapters are enhanced by the use of "advice boxes". These contain more detail distilled from experience, indicating possible areas of difficulty and a means of solving it, or perhaps advising of additional areas of examination that may have become necessary in the light of unsuspected findings.

The book is laid out in a logical manner, progressing through the various abdominal organs and concluding with a "Miscellaneous information" chapter. I suspect it was difficult to know how to title this chapter. However, do not overlook it as it contains some very useful advice on problem solving, trauma, reporting, etc. My ultrasonographer particularly liked the tip on how to deal with talkative patients—but you will need to read the book to find out what it is!

The appendices are, as expected, very apt and useful. The first is a spreadsheet style layout giving a brief, non-definitive description of some common conditions, including detail on what to look for and measure, and outlining the role of ultrasound in that condition.

Although the book was written with trainees in mind, there is much for the more experienced to learn and revisit, even if only to be reminded of long forgotten detail.

At £35, all those in training, medical and sonographer alike, should go out and buy this book now, then read it from cover to cover at least twice.

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