Be Moeller T, Reif E. Pocket Atlas of Sectional Anatomy, Vol. 1: Head and Neck Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 4th Ed. Thieme; 2013; 333 pgs.; 792 illustrations; $47.99.
This easily portable anatomic/imaging atlas of the base of the skull, temporal bone, paranasal sinuses, brain, neck, and MR angiography of the brain and neck would be a useful resource for residents rotating through neuroradiology and for those doing neuroradiology fellowships. It fits nicely in the pocket of a lab coat.
What is nice about this softcover 333-page atlas is that there are side-by-side MR or CT and anatomic drawings. The MRs and CTs are crisp and properly show all the findings demonstrated on the drawings. The major sections (Cranial CT, Cranial MRI, and Neck) are divided into separate chapters. What will be most useful for the trainee are the CTs of the temporal bone and of the soft tissues of the neck. Outlines of vascular territories in the brain along with important cerebral structures and sulci provide a strong starting point for those entering neuroradiology or for those wishing to review anatomy of the brain and neck. Spine anatomy is not included (as the title would indicate). What is nice is that the labels and arrows are on the drawings (which incidentally mimic exactly the corresponding imaging study) rather than the images, so the images are seen with no clutter. While one could object to “over labelling” on the drawings (approximately, an average of 40 labels per drawing), the reality is that all important and less important structures are shown. This allows one to self-quiz on the anatomy. For future editions, the authors should take advantage of an entire page when showing images. Why often one-half to one-third of a page is left blank is mysterious, particularly when one is trying to show relatively small structures.
This pocket anatomy guide is recommended as a quick and reliable resource for those learning neuroradiology.
