British Journal of Radiology (2003) 76, 149
© 2003 British Institute of Radiology
doi:
Vertebral Metastases. By V Pointillart, A Ravaud, J Palussiere, pp. 320, 2002 (Springer-Verlag, Paris, France), £80.00 ISBN 2 287 59752 2
A Jackson
This is a 300 page paperback book dealing exhaustively with the topic of vertebral metastases. It is aimed very much at the clinician dealing with patients with vertebral metastases rather than the radiologist and the majority of the book addresses physiology, pathology, treatment planning and treatment implementation. There is a 40 page section within the book on diagnosis and imaging, which is a well written overview for the general clinician but will add little of nothing to the radiologist in clinical practice beyond what can be gained from standard radiological and MR text. The sections on radionuclide imaging and percutaneous vertebral biopsy are superficial and certainly of inadequate detail to interest a radiologist. Particularly the section on percutaneous biopsy appears to be designed to provide an overview of the technique rather than a methodological guide.
Considering that the book is not written for a primary radiological audience the imaging section of this book provides a good overview for the non-radiologist and would be a worthwhile read for those involved in investigating vertebral metastatic disease and there is an introduction for trainees. The main value of the book is as an exhaustive overview of all aspects of vertebral metastatic disease and those interested in the physiological and pathological mechanisms and treatment planning, would gain considerably from reading the non-radiological sections. Overall I would think this book was a worthwhile read for those radiologists involved in surgical and therapeutic planning for patients with vertebral metastases, but should not be considered as a radiological textbook of vertebral metastatic disease.
