Mandell J. Core Radiology: A Visual Approach to Diagnostic Imaging. Cambridge University Press; 2013; 800 pgs.; 1200 clinical images; 300 color illustrations; $129.
Core Radiology: A Visual Approach to Diagnostic Imaging is a text written to serve as an overall review of diagnostic radiology, with its prime audience being residents in training. To emphasize this, it is worth noting that the editor of this nearly 900-page softcover book, Dr. Jacob Mandell, was a resident (class of 2013), and 17 of the 37 authors are residents. This in itself helps to bring the material into focus for residents. Incidentally, for those of us who are highly compartmentalized into a subspeciality such as neuroradiology, the book does allow a very good overview of the field of radiology.
There are 11 chapters covering each of the specialty areas of Radiology (Thoracic, GI, GU, Neuro, MSK, Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, Breast, Cardiovascular, Interventional, and Pediatrics), and a final 26-page chapter on the physics of imaging. While no one believes you could learn physics in this limited space, the summaries (bulletpoints) of contract reactions, CIN, the physics of radiography, mammography, fluoro, MR, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and radiation biology hit the high points, and it is probable that this material would take one a long way towards answering questions on the ABR examination.
Concerning the sectional information, the material is easy to read and unencumbered by unnecessary verbiage. Excellent diagrams (drawings) in color renditions, highlighted critical facts, and divisions of the material into sections allows for an understanding of the principals involved, along with the appropriate differential diagnoses. The paper on which the images are printed is of high quality, allowing good image display. It is curious to this reviewer, however, that quite a few of the images (the plain radiographs in particular) were not converted to grayscale, yielding, on occasion, an annoying reddish/brown background. This is a relatively minor distraction.
It is unlikely that the title of this book, Core Radiology, was coincidental, given the fact that the new ABR examination for senior residents is now called the “core exam.” Crystal-clear points with adequate images and excellent illustrations will help guide any resident through the maze of material that has to be mastered.
This book is a winner, and is recommended for all program libraries and for individual resident purchase. For neuroradiologists, it could serve as a refresher and a reminder of those annoying body and chest structures and abnormalities that present themselves when reading spine MRIs or CTs. This book is an important addition to publications designed primarily (but not exclusively) for trainees.
