Casillas J, Levi JU, Quiroz, AO, et al. Multidisciplinary Teaching Atlas of the Pancreas: Radiological, Surgical, and Pathological Correlations. Springer; 2016; 1045 pp; 926 ill; $399
Dr. Javier Casillas (Radiology) and Joe Levi (Surgery) have teamed up to make an amazingly well-illustrated, multidisciplinary and comprehensive book on the pancreas. While most books on this subject would likely not warrant a review in the AJNR, this one definitely deserves special mention and praise.
There are 21 chapters that are divided into seven sections. The first section, divided into 5 chapters, lays a foundation of background knowledge of the pancreas starting with embryology, anatomy, histology, physiology and imaging of the pancreas. The book then moves on to four chapters on the various cystic masses of the pancreas. There are then four chapters on solid pancreatic masses. Four chapters on various inflammatory conditions of the pancreas are followed by sections on pancreatic trauma and pancreatic surgery. The book concludes with a 40-question self-assessment. The book is 1045 pages in length but is surprisingly quick to read, as it is written in a bullet format and laced with a total of 926 illustrations. These illustrations include radiographic studies, intra-operative photographs, medical drawings, gross pathologic specimens, photomicrographs, and even a photo of a physician beaming with pride and holding up a bag of 800 ml of pus after percutaneous drainage of an infected pseudocyst.
Many books claim to be multidisciplinary, but this book truly is. While the primary author is a radiologist and “suggested shelving” is listed as radiology, any physician with interest in the pancreas would find this book to be very informative. What gives the book such a multidisciplinary feel is not just that it balances the absolute number of pages or words devoted to clinical information, radiology, pathology and treatment, but that each individual chapter, divided into a clinical topic, integrates all of these disciplines. Many of the illustrations underscore this integrative approach. An example of a serous cystadenoma does not just include its CT and MRI appearance, but also includes the endoscopic ultrasonographic appearance, intra-operative photographs of the mass, photograph of the gross specimen, and photomicrographs of that mass. Clinical and management pearls abound throughout each chapter.
In reading this book, this reviewer re-learned many things long since forgotten or never learned in residency. This book underscores how devotion, passion, hard work, and collaboration can bring to life a single organ like the pancreas, which certainly all neuroradiologists view as an extraneous organ that unfortunately comes into view on spine MRIs.
This book is very highly recommended for any abdominal radiologist, as well as any gastroenterologist or general surgeon with an interest in the pancreas. Additionally, any ambitious radiology resident could certainly learn a great deal from this book. While this may be a stretch, any curious neuroradiologist might also find some enjoyment in reading this book. This reviewer found the book extremely educational and interesting. I also found it gratifying at the conclusion of the book to be able to answer 40 self-assessment questions with competence.
