Radiology: The Oral Boards Primer by Amit Mehta and Douglas P. Beall
Humana Press, Totowa, NJ, 2006, $85
According to the authors, this book is "designed to provide information that is typical of that found on the oral board examination for diagnostic radiology." I was disappointed in this book as the proffered information is too limited, and the tips are too basic, to be of use to advanced radiology residents.
The book begins by setting out a mnemonic approach to the oral boards that, in its simplicity, may insult its target audience. Nearly every fourth year radiology resident already follows the algorithm outlined as the 5Ds (Data, Detect, Describe, Differential and Diagnose).
Subsequent sections are divided by sub-specialties. Once again, the tips offered in each section seem too elementary for a resident who is finally going to tackle the oral boards. For example: "Always consider the three following categories in the GI tract, almost all cases shown will encompass: a. Neoplasm b. Infection and c. Inflammatory." Even most first-year residents know that, when stumped by a case, they can rattle off with "tumor, infection, or inflammation" as the default differential diagnosis.
Radiology: The Oral Boards Primer relies heavily on mnemonic devices, but these devices don't always make sense and can sometimes be confusing. For instance, there are mnemonics such as CIARND, I3NR and CACACA that are not easily remembered. Additionally, some mnemonics are recycled: AISLE is used to represent pancreatic neoplasms and nasopharyngeal masses.
Too many images are unlabeled and/or lack annotation. Many images, measuring less than 2 x 2 inches, are very small, making it difficult to "detect" anything. The book completely lacks an index so there is no way to look up specific topics. Finally, there is virtually no material on topics in nuclear medicine that have recently become part of the oral boards (radiation safety, contamination, radiopharmaceutical spills, receiving and handling radiopharmaceuticals, quality control). Overall, this book appears half-baked and rushed to print.
By Dr. Mikhail SerebrennikAuntMinnie.com contributing writer
June 20, 2006
Dr. Serebrennik is a third year diagnostic radiology resident at a university hospital in the northeastern U.S. He recently launched a Web site at www.filmjacket.com/.
The opinions expressed in this review are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of AuntMinnie.com.
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