British Journal of Radiology (2003) 76, 844-845
© 2003 British Institute of Radiology
doi:
Imaging of brain tumors with histological correlations. Edited by A Drevelegas, pp. x+302, 2002 (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York), £90.50 ISBN 3-540-41092-9
A Jackson
This book attempts to link radiographic imaging characteristics with underlying pathological abnormalities in brain tumours. The book is a little over 300 pages in length and consists of 13 chapters. The first of these deals with epidemiology and histological classification and clinical features in brain tumours, the second with imaging modalities that can be used in the diagnosis of brain tumours, the third with an introduction to the molecular abnormalities that underline the development of gliomas within the brain. Chapter 13 is an overview of the use of scintigraphy in the diagnosis and management of brain tumours, the remaining chapters deal with specific tumour hypes starting with low grade and high grade gliomas, pineal tumours, embryonal tumours, tumours of the cranial nerves, tumours of the meninges, haemopoietic neoplasms, tumours of the sellar and juxtasellar regions and brain metastasis.
Unfortunately this book has a number of significant problems. The introductory chapter and epidemiology and histological classification is superficial and contains significantly less information that will be found in the majority of general neuroradiological textbooks. The section on imaging modalities is again relatively general and contains no specific advice as to optimal investigative protocols. A number of errors are noted in this chapter including incorrect description of T1 inversion recovery sequences, which are recommended for the visualization of grey white matter differences. The main problem however is the superficial way in which the potential benefits of individual sequences are addressed with only small reference to the literature and the evidence of clinical benefit. The section on advanced imaging techniques including perfusion imaging is likewise relatively superficial and does not leave the radiologist or clinician with a great deal of subjective evidence as to why this might be useful. Chapter 3 on molecular abnormalities in gliomas is interesting and is written at a level that is probably understandable by most radiologists who unlike me have a little familiarity with genetics. It is not however clear why a separate section should be given on the genetics of gliomas when this is not addressed for other tumour types. The section on pathology and imaging of individual tumours are slightly better with some more detail but are still rather lacking in specific details concerning radiological features and have no discussion of differential diagnoses or disease which may mimic the appearances described. There is also little reference to the frequency of specific radiological features. This pattern is repeated throughout the book, which is driven far more by pathological classification than by any attempt to aid the radiological diagnosis and differentiation of tumour types.
In many areas the book is well written and provides a good introduction to the pathology and basic imaging features of the majority of brain tumours. The illustrations are of excellent quality and the book will prove useful for those wishing to read an overview of the pathology, clinical and radiological features of a wide range of tumours or wishing to look up specific features of individual tumours in a reference work. Where it will not satisfy is where readers are hoping to be given guidance as to the specificity of radiological features and the best approach for performing and interpreting radiological investigation for patients with intracerebral masses.
