THE POSTERIOR INFERIOR CEREBELLAR ARTERIES

MONIES, R. (1961). Vertebral A n g i o g r a p h y - A n Analysis of 106 Cases. Radiology, 76,230-236,

MONIZ, E., PINTO, A. & ALVES, A. (1933). Art6riographie due Cervelet at des Autre Organs de la Fossa Postdrieure. Bulletin de L'Academie de Medecin (Paris), 109, 756-760.

MoNzs, E. (1934). L'Angiographie C6r6brale. Masson et Cie, Paris.

OLLSON, O. (1953). Vertebral Angiography. Acta Radiologica, 40, 103-107.

RADNER, S. (1951). Vertebral Angiography by Catheteriza- tion. Acta Radiologica Supplement 90.

SJOGREN, S. E. (1953). Percutaneous Vertebral Angiography. Acta Radiologica, 40, 113-127.

SJOQVlST, O. (1938). Arteriographische Darstellung der Gefasse de Hinteren Schadelgrube. Chirurg. 10, 377-380.

WOLF, B. S., NEWMAN, C. M. & KHILNANI, M. (1962). The Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery on Vertebral Angio- graphy. American Journal of Roentgenology, 87, 322-337.

B O O K

Textbook of Radiology. Edited by D. SUTTON, assisted by R. G. GRAINGER. p.p. xi 1186, 1616, illus., 1969. Edin- burgh : E. & S. Livingstone Ltd. £15.

Diagnostic radiology encompasses almost every aspect of clinical medicine together with varying proportions of anatomy, physiology and the medical ramifications of X-ray physics: the horizons are limitless. Editors and authors in the subject must, therefore, set their academic sights most carefully, for no single work can appeal to all grades of Radiologist. The work here under review is clearly intended for the trainee Radiologist at all stages of his education. Both editors are experienced in the exacting field of editorial work and the contributors are, for the most part, well versed in the subject of their individual contribution. Illustrations are profuse and informative, the format is well presented and the text is easy to read.

No first edition of this complexity can be without its faults. The chapters dealing with the skeleton are very good, although the section on joint disease should perhaps be more detailed. Some of the reproductions of radiographs arc not always adequate and there is in general a little too much reference to the museum of one particular hospital. The sections on chest disease, both pulmonary and cardiac, are excellent. The discussion relating to fibrosing alveolitis is rather cursory, probably because it was written before this condition 'evolved ' . .The lack of any comprehensive account of coarctation of the aorta is a rare example of faulty editing (it is relegate~ to a fairly brief and rather superficial description in the section on arteriography).

The editorial decision to include a detailed account of congenital heart disease in a work of this type is a little curious. These chapters are very good indeed, being written with care, thoughtfulness and understanding, although the author 's trust in oblique views would not be accepted by everyone. This subject however cannot be cast on the same general academic plane as the other chapters in this book, for it is highly specialised, and comprehension requires personal experience of angiocardiography, necessarily denied most radiologists. The average reader of this book will look for simple accounts of the plain film

R E V I E W

appearances of the half dozen or so lesions which account for the bulk of these congenital cardiac abnormalities likely to come his way. One regrets that a contribution of this high quality is rather out of place in overall context.

Arteriography is covered briefly but concisely and in proper perspective. The chapters on Gastroenterology, although good and well illustrated, are often too short and they are not always as fully comprehensive as one would wish. The discussion of intestinal fistulae and ulcerative colitis could be extended quite considerably with advantage, and brief comment on such subjects as duodenography, endo- metriosis and gallbladder calcification should be included in the next edition.

The sections dealing with the urinary tract and gynae- cological radiology are both very good, although a more detailed discussion of the normal pyelogram on the lines of Saxton's recent publication* would be an asset.

The final chapters in the book deal with the skull, central nervous system and the spine and they are very good indeed. The approach is detailed, systematic and logical, good use is made of line drawings to illustrate the localisation of lesions and the correlation of angiograms with air studies is especially well done,

The editors have elected to omit virtually all references for the sake of continuity of the reading matter. In this aim they have been very successful, but some readers will be disturbed at the almost total failure to mention the original source of some of the most important contributions to radiological knowledge.

At the end of each chapter there is a short list of publica- tions recommended for further reading, a device adopted satisfactorily in other publications in the past.

The authors have achieved their object. This is a good book recommended to those seeking a sound education in modern diagnostic radiology and to those established men who feel that a refresher course in their own subject will do them nothing but good. The editors are to be congratulated on their aims, their industry and their achievement.

BASIL STRICKLAND

*Saxton, H. M., •969, Br. J. Radiol., 42, 32•.