Imaging Strategies for the Shoulder by Juergen Maeurer
Thieme, New York, 2004, $109
I was very excited to review this book as the shoulder is known for its complex anatomy and pathology. Imaging Strategies for the Shoulder offers a compact synopsis of disease entities, pathology, clinical findings, and diagnostic evaluation. Unlike many books that are limited to a single modality, it gives equal time and attention to plain-film, ultrasound, CT, MRI, and nuclear medicine.
The book is organized in a three-column format for rapid review. Certainly the best aspects were the highlighted blue sections entitled "Goals of Imaging" and "Diagnostic Guidelines." These are a collection of practical experience and pearls of wisdom, which are often hard to come by.
Unfortunately, the book does start off on the wrong foot with an anatomy chapter that is heavy on words and light on diagrams or images to illustrate important concepts. Anatomic facts and phrases are presented as bullet points, which often seem trite and sometimes even pointless. An excessive amount of time is taken to describe conventional radiographic techniques.
The following chapter on traumatology suffers from the same -- short descriptions of various fracture classification schemes with too few pictures or diagrams. Again, the bullet point format used to cover trauma to each anatomic area of the shoulder is thorough enough as quick reference, but doesn't make for a seamless reading experience.
However, the remaining chapters are more interesting. Topics include degenerative change, inflammatory conditions, tumors and tumor-like lesions, hormonal and metabolic bone disease, as well as neurogenic and metabolic bone diseases. The section on pediatric radiology is especially interesting. Each chapter is self-contained so that several pathologic entities are discussed.
Imaging Strategies for the Shoulder is primarily a reference book, which will prove handy for information on a specific case or a quick review of a select topic. It would be useful to the general radiologist who does a significant amount of musculoskeletal imaging, and of equal value to the orthopedist.
By Dr. David DanielsonAuntMinnie.com contributing writer
February 23, 2005
Dr. Danielson is the chief of diagnostic ultrasound at Madigan Army Medical Center in Fort Lewis, WA.
The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the author and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Department of Defense.
The opinions expressed in this review are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of AuntMinnie.com.
Copyright © 2005 AuntMinnie.com
