Appropriate reference is given to the use of otherdiagnostic examinations and the concise summa-ries given at the end of each chapter are helpful.

The method of displaying all the figures atthe end of each chapter made reading a little tedi-ous and time-consuming. It would have beenpreferable if these figures were presented as theyappeared within the chapter. Although, the authoris American, the content of the book would beapplicable to a worldwide audience.

The book is aimed at radiologists and otherphysicians with an interest in chest interpretation,however, it would also be very useful for radiogra-phers involved in the reporting of chest plain films.If you want to improve your chest diagnosis skills,‘‘Chest Radiology: Plain Film Patterns and Differ-ential Diagnoses’’, comes highly recommendedand represents good value for money.

Suzanne Dennan is a Superintendent Radiographer atSt. James’s Hospital, Dublin and recently completed a clinical ra-diographic reporting course at Salford University, Manchester.

Suzanne DennanSt. James’s Hospital

PO Box 580 James’s StreetDublin, Ireland

E-mail address: sdennan@stjames.ie.

doi:10.1016/j.radi.2004.02.004

164 Book reviews

Atlas of Spine ImagingD. L. Renfrew; Saunders, 2003, 376 pages, £92,ISBN 0-7216-9071-8

The ‘‘Atlas of Spine Imaging’’, is primarily inten-ded to give guidance on approaches to image inter-pretation of the spine.

The book consists of nine chapters covering,anatomy, degenerative disease, imaging of thepostoperative spine, spine tumours and trauma, in-fectious spondylitis, congenital and developmentalanomalies, spondylolysis and other miscellaneousdiseases. The descriptions of the various diseaseprocesses are intended to be concise, therefore,a reader expecting a review of, for example, frac-tures of the cervical spine will be disappointed.

The main focus of this book concerns the variousapproaches to spinal image interpretation.

The role of the different imaging methods inthe diagnosis of each disease process is reviewed.In some chapters, cases have been categorisedinto particular ‘‘clinical scenarios’’. The imagingworkup, diagnostic possibilities, and importanceof clinical findings are shown to vary from oneclinical scenario to the next. In some cases, usefulalgorithms are provided, which help to illustratethe decision process, which must be followed fora particular scenario. Advice is also given on howto construct a radiology report.

The information provided in this book is valu-able and copious use has been made of imageswithin the text. The book is highly focussed onthe use of MRI in spinal imaging, and this is mostlyjustified. However, more emphasis on the imageinterpretation of other imaging methods, in partic-ular, plain radiographs of the spine would be help-ful. The Nomenclature and Classification of DiscPathology, developed jointly by the North Ameri-can Spine Society and the American Society ofNeuroradiology, is used in the book. It is importantto be aware that this lexicon may differ outsidethe United States.

The ‘‘Atlas of Spine Imaging’’, is a valuable toolin developing approaches to image interpretationof the spine, from a mostly MRI perspective. Thealgorithms provided are very useful and goodtips are given on constructing radiology reports.Radiologists, other doctors and radiographerswith a particular interest in MRI will find thisbook very useful. However, this book may be oflimited value to individuals with an interest inimage interpretation of other imaging methods,in particular, plain radiographs.

Suzanne Dennan is a Superintendent Radiographer atSt. James’s Hospital, Dublin and recently completed aclinical radiographic reporting course at Salford University,Manchester.

Suzanne DennanSt. James’s Hospital

PO Box 580 James’s StreetDublin, Ireland

E-mail address: sdennan@stjames.ie.

doi:10.1016/j.radi.2004.02.005