Imaging of Diseases of the Chest by David M. Hansell, Peter Armstrong, David A. Lynch, and H. Page McAdams, 4th edition
Elsevier Health, St. Louis, 2005, $279
Many consider Imaging of Diseases of the Chest to be the best single-volume chest reference available. This tome offers over 1,200 pages of comprehensive, painstakingly referenced text. This latest edition offers 200 new pages as well as several excellent tables, drawings and, most importantly, images.
The 17 chapters start with basic chest radiology patterns and then expand into pathological diagnosis including infection, neoplasm, interstitial disease, and trauma. The authors offer a basic understanding of chest radiology before delving into detailed descriptions of specific findings. The chapter on basic patterns in lung disease is an excellent introduction, and could even stand alone as an introductory text for the beginning radiologist.
The images (there are over 1,800) are a good mix of plain-film, CT and MR. There is also an excellent chapter on high-resolution CT patterns. Each disease process, from common to rare, has at least one high quality example image. The nuances of diagnosis are described clearly and succinctly.
Two caveats: A beginning student or resident might get lost in the extreme details of this book, but it is meant to be a comprehensive text. And for those on a limited budget, the book's price may prove prohibitive.
However, Imaging of Diseases of the Chest can easily be considered "the book" on the subject matter. This may not be the best investment for those who prefer review books rather than large text references. But the ambitious resident who takes the time to read through this will have a tremendous foundation in chest radiology.
By Dr. Benjamin HomAuntMinnie.com contributing writer
December 7, 2005
Dr. Hom is an intern at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, WA. He will begin a radiology residency at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville in 2006.
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
