British Journal of Radiology 75 (2002),856 © 2002 The British Institute of Radiology
New Techniques in Thoracic Imaging. Ed by P M Boiselle and C S White, pp. xi+368, 2002 (Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York), $155.00 ISBN 0-8247-0640-4
A M K Thomas
This book is the first of a proposed series of volumes designed to provide a focused update on new and emerging techniques in radiology.
The book is written for the practising radiologist and, in addition, it aims to be of interest to both chest physicians and surgeons. There is an initial overview of the current state-of-the-art in imaging thoracic abnormalities as seen in daily practice. There is a good discussion of the solitary pulmonary nodule, thoracic lymph nodes, pulmonary embolism, emphysema and abnormalities of the aorta.
I found the sections concerning acute pulmonary embolism and acute aortic abnormalities helpful. With ready access to helical CT, the diagnosis of acute aortic dissection is not as rare as I once believed. I found the discussion of CT diagnosis of pulmonary embolism interesting. I find that diagnosis of pulmonary embolic disease on helical CT angiography can be difficult and not as easy as some experts imply. There is a discussion of pitfalls in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism with a discussion about how they can be minimized.
New technologies, such as CT fluoroscopy and multislice CT, are discussed. I was particularly pleased to see a long chapter on digital chest radiography. No matter what developments take place in CT scanning or MRI, the chest radiograph will remain a cornerstone of thoracic imaging.
This book achieves its aims and the chapters are well referenced. Endoscopic ultrasound, which is increasingly used in assessing mediastinal lymph nodes, is not discussed. The book is let down by the poor quality of illustrations.
