This is a useful book for all practicing general radiologists, and those in training in the Asia-Oceania region. Residents in other specialties, as well as medical students, will also find value in this title.
The Asian-Oceanian Textbook of Radiology by Wilfred C.G. Peh and Yoshihiro Hiramatsu, eds.
TTG Asia Media, Singapore, 2003, $120
The Asian-Oceanian Textbook of Radiology features contributions from 80 authors in 15 different countries in the Asia-Oceania region, including Australia, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Singapore.
This is an uncluttered and well-edited book. While the coverage of most of topics is not elaborate, the essentials have been touched upon. Tropical diseases, which are unique to this region, have been covered under all organ systems.
The book is divided into two sections. The first section deals with the basic principles of current imaging practice, including some physics. There is a chapter that gives a brief overview of interventional radiology techniques, as well as chapters on x-ray tomography, lymphangiography, and the use of contrast agents. It also briefly touches on 3-D data on CT and MRI.
A very useful chapter in this section is "Radiation Effects and Radiation Protection in Diagnostic Radiology" by Ng Kwan Hoong, Ph.D., from the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur. This chapter enumerates the hazards associated with radiation, as well as practical methods of radiation protection for professionals and patients.
The second section covers anatomy and diseases of the organ systems, offering a concise description of the former on various imaging modalities, and indications of the imaging techniques. This is followed by a description of the diseases and the imaging findings in these disease processes. The section is divided into subsections including head and neck, reproductive, and two parts on the abdomen (solid organs and hollow organs). Tropical diseases, veterinary imaging, and future trends in radiology are covered.
Of particular interest is an appendix on SARS. Here is an authoritative description of this disease entity from those with most experience in contending with the epidemic. The appendix contains detailed descriptions and illustrations of the imaging findings, as well as flow charts for a case study investigation of a suspected SARS patient.
The text has two shortcomings. The list of the reference material at the end of each chapter could be longer. Also, the brevity of the text often limits the details of radiological findings. As a result, certain areas are not addressed, such as metabolic and congenital diseases of the bones.
Nevertheless, this is a useful book for all practicing general radiologists, and those in training in the Asia-Oceania region. Residents in other specialties, as well as medical students, will also find value in this title.
By Dr. Uday D. PatilAuntMinnie.com contributing writer
January 13, 2004
Dr. Uday D. Patil is a consultant radiologist at Manipal Hospital in Bangalore, India.
The opinions expressed in this review are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of AuntMinnie.com.
Copyright © 2004 AuntMinnie.com
