480 C L I N I C A L RADIOLOGY

BOOGARD, J. A. (1865). "Geneeskde indrukking grand alakle van den schedel door de verrekolom hare oorzaken en gerologen." Nederlandse Ti]dschrift voor Geneeskunde, 2, 81.

BoRwoon, R. J. (1970). "The Cranio-Cervical Junction." Thesis. University of Bristol.

GORDON, I. R. S. (1966). "Measurement of cranial capacity in children." British Journal of Radiology, 39, 377-381.

GORDON, I. R. S. (1970). "Microcephaly and Craniostenosis". Clinical Radiology, 21, 19-31.

INGALLS, T. H. (1947). "Etiology of mongolism; epidemiolo- gic and teratologic implications." American Journal of Diseases of Childhood, 74, 147-165.

INGALLS, T. H. (1947). "Pathogenesis of mongolism".

American Journal of Diseases of Childhood, 73, 279-292. McRAE, D. L. (1960). "The Caldwell Lecture". "The signi-

ficance of abnormalities of the cervical spine." American Journal of Roentgenology, 84, 3-25.

PENROSE, L. S. (1961). "Mongolism". British Medical Bulletin, 17, 184-189.

ROCEm, A. F. (1966). "The cranium in mongolism". Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, 42, 62-78.

SPITZER, R., RABINOWITCH, J. Y. & WYBAR, K. C. (1961). "A study of the abnormalities of tile skull, teeth and lenses in mongolism." Canadian Medical Association Journal, 84, 567-572.

STAMRUD, J. (1959). "External and internal cranial base." Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, 17, 239.

B O O K R E V I E W

Cardiac Clinicopathological Conferences of the Massachu- setts General Hospital. Editors: BENJAMIN CASTELMAN and ROMAN W. DE SANCTIS. Publishers: Little, Brown and Company, Boston, Massachusetts, 1972. 440 pages.

In this volume, 50 cases have been collected together from the many hundreds published in the New England Journal of Medicine since 1955. These 50 cases all have major involve- ment of the cardiovascular system and have been particularly chosen because of the teaching value of the discussions and of the post mortem findings. Presentation begins with the clinical history and the physical examination and this is followed by investigations including good reproductions of the electrocardiogram and the chest radiograph. The diag- nosis is then discussed by an invited physician who has not seen the patient and, after a full presentation of his deductive reasoning, he comes to a clinical diagnosis. The findings at post mortem are then presented and illustrated.

All the case histories and discussions make excellent reading and much useful information is obtained from a close study of the clinician's reasons for making Iris diagnosis. This particular form of presentation is of particular value to the radiologist interested in cardiac radiology because it provides him with a total picture of the patient's iliness while at the same time showing the value of radiological tech- niques (particularly chest radiography and angiocardio- graphy) in diagnosis and management. The quality of the paper is high and tile reproduction of most radiological material is more than adequate. There is no index and this collection of case histories was not intended as a text book. Furthermore, advances in cardiology over the 14 years or so since the presentation of' the first of these clinico-patholo- gical conferences make some of the material out of date. This has been recognised and remedied by an addendum at the end of most of the case presentations. Before studying each case, it is important to note the date of the original presentation, otherwise some of the statements will appear disconcerting and this feeling of confusion in not cleared until the addendum is reached at the very end of each article.

The standard of investigation and discussion is very high in every case, and this modern collection of ctinieo-patholo- gical conferences is the best available for diseases of the cardiovascular system.

JAMES FLEMING

Radiological Diagnosis of Digestive Tract Disorders in the New Born. By CREMIN, CYWES and Lovw. Published by the Butterworth Group. Price £5.80.

This book covers the field indicated by its title in a concise but highly informative manner. The radiologist who does not routinely deal with alhnentary problems in the new born will find this book of great value. The techniques of examina- tion, the likely findings, and their interpretation, are clearly described. The radiographs are well chosen and, in the main, adequately reproduced. The line drawings are excellent. The combined authorship by a radiologist and two surgeons provides an excellent balance between the clinical and tech- nical aspects of the subject.

In a few respects the recommendations in this book are not in accordance with the reviewer's practice. In chapter 2 it is suggested that three plain films of the abdomen should always be taken, an inverted film is suggested in addition to the conventional erect and supino views. It is thought better that the inverted film should only be taken after the initial erect and supine have been inspected, in an cndeavour to decrease radiation. The authors suggest that the value of hypertonic water soluble contrast enemata in obstruction due to meconium ileus and milk obstruction is a technique that requires further evaluation. It is, however, now widely used and with proper attention to selection of patients and the prevention of dehydration, will provide a satisfactory alter- native to surgery in many cases.

These points, however, are based more on local variations of practice than on any major criticism of the book. As noted above, it provides an excellent review of technique and findings in its field.

R. K. LEVlCK