Sanelli PC, Schaefer PW, Loevner LA, eds. Neuroimaging: The Essentials. Wolters Kluwer; 2015; 584 pp; $110.99
Written primarily for residents and fellows in neuroradiology, Neuroimaging: The Essentials covers the basic areas of neuroimaging.
With 61 contributors, the editors (Drs. Sanelli, Schaefer, and Loevner) have put together 4 sections each containing 8 chapters and dealing with specific board topics such as neoplasms of the brain, degenerative disease of the spine, or temporal bone imaging. As is commonplace these days, the book comes with a scratch-off access code in order to also download the e-book. This has navigation tools that enhance the value of the purchase. For the audience to whom the book is directed—young radiologists in training or newly in practice—the features are ideal.
Each chapter starts out like most CME lectures, specifically listing 3 to 6 learning objectives, and in keeping with a SAM-like presentation, each chapter has a couple of self-assessment questions. However, in addition the final chapter of the book contains 75 self-assessment questions, followed at the end by the answers and including short explanations of the cases. Tables of importance add to the value of each chapter. Drawings particularly relative to the anatomic features help illuminate the features described in the text.
The imaging is excellent, and the selected case material reflects the wide experience of the editors and contributing authors. Don’t expect the book to be encyclopedic in nature—some diseases are missing, but of course, that is expected in what is reasonable for this type of book. For example, certain areas we deal with on nearly a daily basis, such as the brachial plexus/lumbarsacral plexus or an in-depth look at more advanced MR techniques, are not included. That said, even for the seasoned neuroradiologist, it is worthwhile to go through the book image by image to refresh one’s own memory of the appearances of a wide range of pathologies.
To this reviewer the material herein makes this the introductory neuroradiology book of choice, and it can be confidentially recommended to the residents and fellows. It also should find a spot in every departmental library.
