CHEST RADIOLOGY The Essentials

Academic Radiology, 01-APR-08, Volume 15, Issue 4, Andrew Del Gaizo, MD, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA -- "In response to the significant advances in thoracic imaging over the past decade, authors Jannette Collins and Eric J. Stern have undertaken the task of updating their extremely successful first edition (published in 1999) with current images and information. The new edition includes nearly 800 images of superb quality, many of which replace images of older technology. Several chapters have been expanded to encompass up-to-date information, including the 2004 World Health Organization classification of lung tumors and the most recent classification of the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. Several new chapters have been introduced, including a dedicated chapter on cardiac disease (Chapter 18), and new chapters on pulmonary vascular disease (Chapter 17) and the thoracic aorta (Chapter 19)... "There are several chapters that make this book unique among chest radiology texts. For example, Chapter 2, Signs and Patterns of Lung Disease, consists of a collection of 20 processes with classic radiographic findings, each summarized with a paragraph of text and one or two 'Aunt Minnie' type images. This certainly represents high-yield material for examinations or radiology case conferences. The chapter continues with a succinct description of common patterns in pulmonary disease, including honeycombing, septal thickening, cystic, nodular, ground glass, mosaic attenuation, and tree-in-bud. Another distinctive chapter is Chapter 5, Monitoring and Support Devices-Tubes and Lines. Chest radiographs are often used to confirm the position of an array of monitoring and support devices. Therefore, any health care professional involved in the placement of or interpretation of radiographs containing these devices must know their appropriate appearance. The authors do an excellent job summarizing the function of each device, the normal radiographic appearance, and the potential associated complications. Finally, Chapter 20, Self Assessment, includes 113 questions for readers to evaluate their comprehension of the topics and diseases presented throughout the book. Thirty-six of these questions are associated with images in a multiple choice format, with detailed answers addressing the correct diagnosis as well as why the other choices are incorrect. "The addition of dedicated chapters on cardiac disease (Chapter 18) and the thoracic aorta (Chapter 19) is a significant improvement to the original edition. The cardiac overview is well organized, beginning with congenital cardiac disease in adults, and continuing to include acquired heart disease, postoperative complications, complications of myocardial infarction, and pericardial disease. Major conditions of the thoracic aorta are discussed, including aortic dissection, intramural hematoma, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer, thoracic aortic aneurysm, and imaging of the repaired aorta... "Overall, Chest Radiology: The Essentials, 2nd Edition is a well-written text with significant updates to the new edition in both content and image quality. The book clearly illustrates the pulmonary diseases and conditions deemed essential for diagnostic radiology resident education as put forth by the 2005 Revised Curriculum on Cardiothoracic Radiology. In addition, the new chapters on cardiac disease and the thoracic aorta provide useful introdu