Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2003, $149.
This 300-page, comprehensive text -- geared toward specialists (imaging, orthopedic surgeons) who interpret MR scans of the shoulder -- is highly recommended for those who need an up-to-date, authoritative, reasonably priced, single-volume text on the subject.
The book is organized in 10 chapters, each written by experts in their respective fields. The first two chapters are devoted to technical aspects of MR imaging, such as basic principles and coils. The next chapter addresses common pitfalls of imaging. The fourth chapter discusses the clinical evaluation of the painful shoulder, and provides the clinician’s perspective that is so critical to the consulting radiologist. It also links the clinical presentation with the pathophysiology and imaging findings.
The chapter on shoulder anatomy is exquisitely illustrated with well-labeled line drawings, depictions by artists (color as well as black and white), and cadaver-MRI correlations. The following five chapters address important clinical entities, including rotator cuff disease, shoulder instability, biceps tendon disorders, and the postoperative shoulder. The book concludes with a chapter on MR arthrography and its role in evaluating the rotator cuff, labrum, and shoulder instability.
MRI of the Shoulder is well written, thoroughly referenced, and superbly illustrated. The color drawings are clear and detailed and the MR images are excellent examples of the pathology being demonstrated including some surgical photographs and artist’s drawings. The captions accompanying each image are complete and informative. The authors take care to avoid the pitfall of showing only classic "easy-to-see" presentations by including several examples of atypical, subtle, or otherwise confusing lesions.
Like many books with multiple authors, this book suffers from some duplication of information. However, this repetition ultimately serves to drive home significant concepts.
By Dr. John A.M. TaylorAuntMinnie.com contributing writer
January 29, 2003
Dr. Taylor is a professor of radiology at the New York Chiropractic College in Seneca Falls, NY. He is the co-author of Skeletal Imaging: Atlas of the Spine and Extremities.
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