Swischuk LE. Imaging of the Cervical Spine in Children. Second Ed. Springer; 2013; 110 pages; 147 illustrations; $139.00.

The second edition of Dr. Swischuk’s Imaging of the Cervical Spine in Children is a short (110 pages) monograph on the oft confusing subject of the radiology of the childhood cervical spine. The images and legends make the points raised in the body of the body understandable; all are germane to the practice of neuroradiology. In many places the book is written in a conversational manner, such as when Dr. Swischuk discusses the os terminale-os odontordeum complex and says, “I have always considered, etc. . .” This presentation makes reading and learning easier; in addition, parts of each chapter that need emphasis are printed as italics.

The book is divided into 6 chapters: Developmental Anatomy; Normal Variations; Anomalies; Anomalies and Normal Variations of the Dens; Trauma; Miscellaneous Cervical Spine Problems (includes seven specific entities). To this reviewer, the chapter on development, normal variations and anomalies, and normal variations of the dens were particularly important because many of the variations can easily mimic pathologic conditions or important congenital defects. The material contained in this book can be absorbed in one or two sittings, since images predominate the material.

The book is recommended for all radiology libraries. It can be used to clear up the occasional confounding pediatric spine case.