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Mangnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spine (3rd Edn) Vols 1&2. Edited by S W Atlas, pp. 2265, 2001 (Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, Haggerstown, MD), $299.00 ISBN 0-7817-2036-2

MRI of the brain and spine belongs to a select group of radiology texts that have achieved iconic status – and a place on the reporting bench of most institutions involved in neurological imaging. The second edition of this textbook published in 1996, had at 1650 pages almost outgrown the single volume format. With 600 additional pages, it is no surprise to see the third edition produced in two large volumes.

In his preface to the third edition, Scott Atlas explains that the impetus to revise this work has to come from new ideas and discoveries in the field of MRI. The advances in clinically relevant MR imaging techniques over the last 5 years justify this new edition.

The previous edition consisted of 32 chapters, progressing from 7 chapters on MR imaging principles and safety, through cranial and skull based imaging to spinal MRI, with 4 final chapters covering emerging techniques such as functional MRI. In the new edition material is more clearly orgamised into five discrete sections. Volume 1 is divided into two parts. Part I ("Principles") consists of 9 chapters on imaging techniques. Most of these appeared in the previous edition, but have undergone significant revision since. One chapter ("Fast Imaging Techniques") ahs undergone a major overhaul, to recent advances in this area, such as the parallel imaging techniques now offered as clinical imaging options by several equipment manufacturers. Two completely new chapters are included in this section: "Diffusion and Diffusion Tensor MR Imaging" and "Perfusion MRI". Both of these are well illustrated and informative.

Part II covers brain imaging, and readers will recognize most of the chapter divisions from previous editions. The chapter on white matter diseases has been expanded to included inherited metabolic disorders, and the chapter on MR angiography has been incorporated into this section, to reflects its evolution from emerging technique to clinical application. There is a new chapter devoted to imaging in epilepsy.

Volume 2 includes parts III–V. Part III covers skull base, including the sella, temporal bone and orbit. Part IV (spine and spinal cord) covers spinal imaging, from congenital anomalies to spinal infection via the surgical sieve of degenerative, neoplastic, traumatic and vascular disease. Part V ("advance applications") has two chapters updated from the previous edition (functional imaging and MR spectroscopy) joined by a new chapter on MRI in psychiatric disease.

This edition maintains the extensive reference lists of previous editions, and an excelleat index. The latter incorporates terms that have emerged into more common usage since the previous editon – Prion Disease and CADASL being two examples of many. Production standards have not wavered, with highly readable text and excellent image reproduction. The only disappointment is the recycling of many images from previous editions that are close to (if not past) their sell by date. This is made more obvious when new images have been inserted alongside older figures. However, the retention of some older images in this major revision should not put off potential, purchasers of this book. Many Departments will need to replace second editions tattered through constant used. The new material alone more that justifies the financial outlay.

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