by way of Phillip M.

by way of Phillip M. Boiselle and Charles s White, eds. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker 2002; 376 pages; $15000

recent Techniques in Thoracic Imaging is intended as the first in a series of contortions directed at providing "updates upon new and emerging techniques in radiology." This first turn is an excellent start in setting the tone and an expectation of the same height for future volumes. It is an extremely readable thesis that can be perused in a hardly any evenings, but it also illustrates the advantages and more [i]or[/i] less of the limitations of in the same state [i]or[/i] condition a reader-friendly approach.

The editors have intelligently divided the convolution into three themes. The first is a collection of chapters discussing existing state-of-the-art radiologic technology commonly used in practice. The secondary is a set of chapters discussing newer technologies, available at a hardly any institutions, but not yet easily available. The last section is devot to cutting-edge technologies, many of which have great potential still are currently not fully proven or not now mature enough for routine clinical use. There appeared to be overlap between the last sum of two units themes, but I did not find this to be a significant issue. The editors have gathered knowledgeable authors to address specific topics, and have come afterwarded in providing a logical chapter layout and homogeneity with regard to mode so as to make the entire contortion cohesive.

The first theme includes instant "bread-and-butter issues," as augmented by dint of recent developments in technology; this is the section that betrays the greatest weakness of the general approach. The chapters onward the solitary pulmonary nodule, lymph node imaging, pulmonary embolism, and aortic imaging are all well-written scans of the subjects with an emphasis upon recent developments. However, given that these are well-established techniques, near in the potential audience might have preferr to read about them in a more comprehensive allusion and then pursued recent exhibitions by reviewing current literature (some of which has been published following to this volume). Consequently, in this verse the coverage of such make subordinates is best suited for the radiologist or clinician who perceive s that they may have missed an recent developments and would like a quick means of catching up In addition to succeeding at that task, the tome does provide a reasonable number of references

In their preface, the editors identify multislice CT scanning, high-resolution CT scanning, and lung cancer screening as belonging to the category of emerging technologies. by means of the date of publication, I would dispute that these were fairly well-established techniques belonging in the bread-and-butter section, and my notes concerning that portion of the part apply to these topics as well. Positron emission tomography scanning, which does fall into the emerging technology category, is dealt with across several chapters.

I construct the style of this work best suited for the themes of just discovered and emerging technologies, both those that are sporadically available and those that are regarded as being in disentanglement The treatment of these enslaves was perfect, with the discussions providing just enough background material in a clear and readable fashion. The individual authors all overlayed the practical aspects of performing these techniques, severityed the clinical relevance of the newer technologies, and left me with an understanding of by what means these technologies might impact daily practice. Specific topics overlayed were magnetic resonance ventilation imaging, MRI of pulmonary embolism, CT fluoroscopy, virtual bronchoscopy and digital radiography.

While all of these technologies are promising, not all will ultimately find their way into daily practice. The authors have provided just enough information to aggravate the reader into consideration of their potential. For those wishing more information, the chapters are well-referenced. For greatest in number readers, these chapters will be sufficient and quite informative.

In conclusion, this is a exceedingly readable text that is intended as an update as well as a glimpse into what technological advances are forward the horizon. It is not likely to be the regard that one will return to time after time. However, strange Techniques in Thoracic Imaging can quickly bring the busy physician interested in chest imaging "up to speed" regarding the popular radiologic armamentarium and will be useful in guiding daily practice from one side of to the other the next 1 to 2 years.

David s Mendelson, MD

of recent origin York, NY

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