126 CLINICAL RADIOLOGY

u n s a t i s f a c t o r y , b a l l o o n d i l a t a t i o n m a y b e p e r f o r m e d a f t e r a t h e r e c t o m y . P a s s a g e o f a g u i d e wi re a f t e r a t h e r e c t o m y a p p e a r s to be sa fe as t h e i n t r a l u m i n a l s u r f a c e is s m o o t h w i t h n o i n t i m a l clefts.

S u m m a r y

P e r c u t a n e o u s a t h e r e c t o m y h a s b e e n s h o w n to b e safe a n d effect ive in t h e s h o r t t e r m f o r t r e a t m e n t o f l oca l i s ed p e r i p h e r a l a r t e r i a l s t e n o s e s o r occ l u s i ons . F u r t h e r e x p e r - i ence a n d f o l l o w - u p a r e n e c e s s a r y to s h o w w h e t h e r i t h a s a n y a d v a n t a g e o v e r b a l l o o n d i l a t a t i o n o r l a se r a s s i s t ed a n g i o p l a s t y a n d we a r e c u r r e n t l y p e r f o r m i n g a p r o s p e c - t ive r a n d o m i s e d t r ia l t o i n v e s t i g a t e this . O n e o f i t s m a j o r c o n t r i b u t i o n s m a y be i n t he t r e a t m e n t o f t o u g h s t e n o s e s w h i c h d o n o t r e s p o n d to c o n v e n t i o n a l b a l l o o n a n g i o - p l a s ty .

Acknowledgement. We would like to thank Mrs Y. Steel for typing the manuscript and the Photographic Department for their assistance.

REFERENCES

Block, PC, Fallon, JT & Elmer, D. (1980). Exerimental angioplasty: lessons from the laboratory. American Journal of Roentgenology, 135, 907412.

Cumberland, DC (1983). Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty: A review. Clinical Radiology, 34, 25-38.

H6fling, B, Backa, D, Lauterjung, L, P61nitz, AV, Arnim, Th.V, Jauch, KW & Simpson, JB (1988). Percutaneous removal of atheromatous plaques in peripheral arteries. Lancet, i, 384 388.

Schwarten, DE, Katzen, BT, Simpson, JB & Cutcliff, WB (1988). Simpson catheter for percutaneous transluminal removal of ather- oma. American Journal o f Roentgenology, 150, 799 801.

Simpson, JB, Johnson, DE, Thapliyal, HV, Marks, DS & Braden, LJ (1985). Transluminal atherectomy: A new approach to the treatment of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Circulation 72 (suppl. 3), 146.

Simpson, JB, Johnson, DE, Braden, LJ, Gifford, HS, Thapliyal, HV & Selmon MR (1986). Transluminal coronary atherectomy: results in 21 human cadaver vascular segments. Circulation, 74 (suppl. 2), 202.

Simpson, JB, Zimmerman, J J, Selmon, MR, Shoor, PM, Cipriano, PR, Martin, F et al. (1986). Transluminal atherectomy: initial clinical results in 27 patients. Circulation, 74, (suppl. 2), 203.

Simpson, JB, Selmon, MR, Robertson, GC, Cipriano, PR, Hayden, WG, Johnson, DE et al. (1988). Transluminal atherectomy for occlusive peripheral vascular disease. American Journal o f Cardio- logy, 61, 966-1016.

Book Review

A Textbook of Radiological Diagnosis 5th edn, vol. 4 - The Alimentary Tract: The Hollow Organs and Salivary Glands. Edited by K. C. Simpkins. H. K. Lewis and Co Ltd, London 1988. 754 pp., 970 figs, 1255 illust., £85.

The latest in the series of new 'British Authors' is the work of 21 authors, recognised as experts in their field. The editor has not only taken on the mammoth editorial tasks of this work, but has also written a number of the chapters.

I was pleased to find an opening chapter on the organisation of a radiology department a subject often assumed rather than covered in most publications. Quite large sections on endoscopy are included as a recognition that some units offer this as part of their radiological service.

The order of chapter subjects is logical, working from the mouth downwards with chapters on the acute abdomen, the investigation of internal bleeding, tropical diseases and paediatric gastroenterology towards the end of the book.

I found the chapter on the motility disorders of the oesophagus particularly enlightening with clear illustrations and explanations. The normal physiology is not neglected and used as the basis for discussion of the pathological changes.

All modalities of investigation are included although contrast radiology remains the major method of hollow organ study. Some radionuclide studies are described and there are occasional references to

CT and ultrasound. Chapters on technique of barium meal, enema and small bowel study are prominent in this publication and chapters are devoted to the post-operative stomach and structural abnormalities associated with gastric and duodenal displacement. No subject would appear to have been omitted although of necessity some matters are only briefly mentioned, including the ubiquitous AIDS.

The new layout and adoption of negative illustrations brings it into line with other modern textbooks. The quality of the image reproduc- tion in many publications often leaves a lot to be desired but I can honestly say that all images reproduced in this publication are of the highest quality with helpful but discrete markers and arrows to emphasise where appropriate. There are also line drawings of some films to clarify points and none of the illustrations are too far from the associated written information. The references at the end of each section are good and reasonably recent allowing for the time that it takes to publish a work of this size and complexity with so many contributors.

It is not often that one would choose to read a book of this size from cover to cover but rather 'dip' into it when needed. Those studying for Fellowship will find valuable grounding information in both the rare and the common conditions and radiologists in 'general practice' who see a lot of gastroenterology will also find this book both interesting and helpful. Both teaching departments and district general departments would benefit from purchasing it.

R. J. Godwin