The Direct Diagnosis in Radiology series comprises 12 pocket-sized books covering the main diagnostic imaging subspecialties. These texts cover the essential diagnoses a practicing radiologist should be aware of, in a well organized way, and are ideal for quick reference during a busy work day.
Thoracic Imaging is a 368-page soft cover-book, divided into 13 chapters, which covers the most commonly encountered disorders in chest radiology. The text follows the standard format of the series, including a brief definition (epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, pathogenesis) of each included disease; descriptions of imaging signs (modality of choice, radiographic, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging findings, pathognomonic findings); review of clinical aspects (typical presentation, therapeutic options, course and prognosis, and “what does the clinician want to know”); and discussion of differential diagnosis. Each section is rounded out with tips, pitfalls, and selected references for those seeking a more in-depth review.
The authors hail from Germany, and in fact the book was first published in German and later translated to English, which explains the subtle differences in terminology from what is commonly used in the United States. However, this does not detract from what is overall a very successful attempt to provide an easily accessible, comprehensive review of more common diseases in thoracic radiology, leaving the more esoteric conditions for other more detailed texts. Throughout the text, the writing is clear and concise, and sections are bulleted and highly structured. Perhaps most importantly for the radiologists who will be referencing this book, an appropriately large number of high-quality diagnostic images illustrate the key findings within each section.
The opening chapter is dedicated to congenital disorders, including arteriovenous malformation, shunt, scimitar syndrome, pulmonary sequestration, pulmonary artery hypoplasia and atresia, and bronchial atresia. The disease processes are outlined in a very factual and understandable manner, and relatively well illustrated with clear radiographs and computed tomograms. For the most part the text is comprehensive while remaining succinct. The section on shunt is somewhat limited, not unexpectedly, as this is a large topic and shunt has a wide range of causes and imaging findings. Echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging are noted to be the modalities of choice for imaging, although only radiograph cases are provided within the section. Additional congenital processes, such as cystic adenomatoid malformation and congenital lobar emphysema, are excluded from the chapter.
Chapter 2 covers disorders of the airways and is appropriately longer, as this is a broad category with many diseases that radiologists regularly encounter. Sections cover hypertransradiant hemithorax, bronchiectasis, bronchiolitis, bronchiolitis obliterans, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary emphysema, atelectasis, rounded atelectasis, middle-lobe syndrome, immotile cilia/Kartagener syndrome, and foreign-body aspiration. The trend of more thorough reviews of topics most often encountered in daily radiology practice continues in the next 10 chapters, with a relatively extensive discussion of infections, immune disorders, disorders of uncertain etiology, bronchopulmonary neoplasms, and mediastinal disorders. Coverage of occupational diseases, idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, collagen diseases and vasculitis, and disorders of the pulmonary circulatory system, chest wall, and pleura is less comprehensive but more than adequate for a pocket reference. Essential facts are included without the clutter of detailed discussion. Illustrative cases and images continue to be well selected for each chapter.
The final chapter is reserved for discussion of sequelae of therapy, including drug reaction, radiation reaction, reperfusion edema, bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, engraftment syndrome, central venous catheters, cardiac pacemaker, parenchymal calcification, and pulmonary calcinosis. Included in the section on central venous catheter there is a simple illustration that nicely demonstrates the potential intravenous pathways that a catheter (when placed correctly or incorrectly) may follow on chest radiograph. Iatrogenic processes are frequently encountered by radiologists but often excluded from reference books, making this chapter particularly useful.
Thoracic Imaging provides a thorough review of the essential facts of common diseases in thoracic radiology for a very affordable $59.95. Its small size allows for convenient storage in a lab coat pocket, small bag, or drawer. The print and image quality is excellent, and the binding is sturdy. Overall, this text is an excellent reference for general radiologists and trainees, and may be equally valuable to pulmonologists and other clinicians with an interest in chest imaging.
Footnotes
-
The author has disclosed no conflicts of interest.
- Copyright © 2011 by Daedalus Enterprises Inc.
