Diagnostic Imaging: Brain, Second Edition. Anne G. Osborn, Karen L. Salzman, A. James Barkovich, (Authors). Amirsys 2009, pages 1200, 3500 illustrations, $339.00.
Success follows success — that in one phrase is the best way to summarize the enormous contribution made by Dr. Osborn and her colleagues to the knowledge base of radiologists and clinicians in the neurosciences. Although it seems “yesterday” when the first edition of Diagnostic Imaging: Brain appeared, it was, in fact, 2004, and so the 2010 edition comes after an appropriate interval.
What more, one could ask, is contained in this edition, not covered previously? Certainly to most of those in neuroradiology it seemed about as complete as a book of this type could be. Granted, in this edition there is some replication of previous material, but this Diagnostic Imaging: Brain is new and expanded. What is more, the purchase comes with a website (http://ebooks.amirsys.com) which allows registration for searchable items, continuous updates, and a plethora of images.
It is presumed that virtually every viewer of the AJNR website and subscribers to the journal are familiar with these monumental text books and may be equally familiar with previous reviews of the series (Diagnostic Imaging: Brain/Diagnostic Imaging: Spine/Diagnostic Imaging: Head and Neck, American Journal of Neuroradiology 26:1876-1878, August 2005). The style is similar, many titles within the various chapters are equivalent but there is, in fact, new material. Not only do we see substantial introductory material (written in the traditional manner, not bullet-like) at the beginning of each major heading, we see added material throughout each section. Take, for example, the section on the congenital malformations; here, Dr. Barkovich has written a two-page overview of the approach one should take in relation to developmental brain anomalies. Similarly in introductions to each of the following sections (trauma, SAH/aneurysms, Stroke, Vascular Malformations, Neoplasms, Cysts, Infection/Inflammation, Inherited Metabolic/Degenerative Disorders, Acquired Toxic/Metabolic/Degenerative Disorders, Ventricles/Cisterns, Sella/Pituitary, CPA/ICA, Skull/Scalp/Meninges) there is material related to the overall approach to each of these diseases or anatomic area. Written by either Dr. Osborn, Dr. Barkovich, Dr. Salzman, or Dr. Harnsberger, these lay the foundation of what is to follow. New material finds its way into virtually every section — not only new diseases, but new images (pathology, imaging and drawing) and explanations. Take, for example, Stroke — here, the material has increased by nearly 50%, and we see information and imaging related to CT perfusion. Throughout the text, the imaging is crisp and state-of-the-art and the anatomic drawings, which have always been the highest quality, drive home important points. This pattern of excellence is repeated in every chapter.
On reflection of major previously published works in neuroradiology one thinks of two sets of books — first that by Tavares and Woods and then second that by Newton and Potts. Now these series of books by Osborn and Harnsberger takes their place in the history of education in radiology.
No neuroradiology library or personal library can call itself complete without this and its companion books (Spine and Head/ Neck) on its shelves.
