the art & science of cytopathology, by richard m. demay

BOOK REVIEWSection Editor: Ricardo H. Bardales

The Art & Science ofCytopathologyAuthor: Richard M. DeMayASCP Press, Chicago, 1996Reviewed by Michael Henry, M.D., Department of Pathology,National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland

The Art & Science of Cytopathologyby Richard DeMay isan ambitious and detailed textbook which covers the entirebreadth of cytopathology. It consists of over 1,200 pages intwo volumes. In most aspects it is a very successful attemptto blend detailed text, tables, color photography, and exhaus-tive references into a book that is both readable andinformative. DeMay’s writing style is easy to read and attimes jocular. For example, the chapter on microbiologicorganisms is titled ‘‘A Micromiscellany.’’ In describinghigh-grade dysplasia, he calls the small dysplastic cellswhich are often difficult to find, let alone diagnose, ‘‘no-see-ums.’’ These forays into levity make the text interesting andhelp keep the readers attention.Several unique features are used in the book. One of the

most interesting is the use ofexempla.These are smallimages which are embedded in the center of the pagebetween two columns of print. These images are numberedand referenced in the accompanying text. The exemplaprovide a visual reference to illustrate specific details forentities described in the text. Larger images, both the sameas the exempla and additional photomicrographs, are placedat the end of each chapter. These images are also wellreferenced in the main text. In total, the two volumes containover 1,600 photomicrographs, many more than are found inmost atlases.An unusual feature of the illustrations is the useof round photos, similar to what would be seen under the

microscope in real life. The quality of the photomicrographsis generally very good.Scattered throughout the text are numerous tables and

small lists of key points. These key points summarize criticalareas explained in detail in the main text and make itpossible to flip through the book looking for helpful hints indifferential diagnoses. The text is quite comprehensive. Eachchapter covers all of the common cytologic findings andproblems associated with that organ system. Many difficultand subtle features are also discussed. This is a book I wouldgrab off of the bookshelf to look for help if I was havingtrouble with a case. The book is of use not only to studentsand resident pathologists, but also to experienced patholo-gists and cytopathologists.My complaints about the book are for the most part

minimal. The use of the round photomicrographs takes somegetting used to and can be distracting. Most of the photo-graphs are taken at high power, and a few more low-powershots could have illustrated some points better. In the chapteron cervical vaginal cytology, ‘‘The Pap Smear,’’ the discus-sion of the Bethesda System is tacked on at the end of thechapter and seems to be somewhat of an afterthought.Finally, as this is a single-author textbook, some of thediscussions of controversial areas are slightly one-sided.In summary, this is an excellent textbook. It is well

illustrated and comprehensive. My feeling is that it willbecome one of the ‘‘bibles’’ of cytopathology.

r 1997 WILEY-LISS, INC. Diagnostic Cytopathology, Vol 16, No 5 471