Runge VM. Imaging of Cerebrovascular Disease: A Practical Guide. Thieme; 2016; 160 pp; 711 ill; $79.99
In a short, easy-to-read, soft-covered book, “Imaging of Cerebrovascular Disease: A Practical Guide,” Dr. Runge has compiled all the key points in CVD imaging without going into elaborate and unnecessary details. The reader will come away understanding how to acquire and interpret vascular disease imaging, including stroke, vascular malformations, and aneurysms. By providing an initial chapter on MR and CT techniques, Dr. Runge lays a foundation for the 5 chapters that follow. Nice comparisons both technique-wise and with images at 1.5 T and 3.0T scanners are described and illustrated.
Dr. Runge has previously published material on MR physics and on contrast material in MR imaging, so the first chapter is a summary of his experience as it relates to CVD. It is important to start with the reading of this chapter, but one must have a basic knowledge of MR to fully appreciate this material. The material is not intended for someone trying to understand the fundamentals of MR imaging. There is less time spent on CT, in part due to the fact that there are fewer variables to manipulate or consider; nonetheless, the underpinning of CT in CVD is explained.
The chapters on normal anatomy and hemorrhage are short and adequately illustrated.
The chapter on ischemia is one that should be made available to new residents rotating through neuroradiology and all neuroradiology fellows. It will serve to emphasize the appearance and evolution of strokes, using different MR parameters and different strength MR systems. It is noteworthy that when describing and illustrating infarcts, there is a mention of the particular part of the brain involved. Such inclusion in any radiology report makes it more meaningful and helps with the anatomic/clinical correlations. Parameter maps of strokes (e.g. CBV/MIT) are well- and simply explained. Uncommon presentations of CVD and pathology which can mimic ischemia/infarctions are included.
The chapter on aneurysms includes state-of-the-art imaging with particularly good CTs, MRs and DSAs. Included are some short, basic points concerning frequency, complications related to unruptured and ruptured aneurysms, and methods of treatment. Aneurysmal subtypes and potential difficulties in MR imaging of some of these (like giant aneurysm characterization) are mentioned, and depictions of other types of vascular diseases, such as cavernomas, AVFs, DVAs, AVMs, and CC fistulas, are included.
Experienced neuroradiologists are familiar with most of the material in this book; nonetheless, it provides a good starting point for those early in their neuroradiology training. For others, a study of the images and the accompanying legends is a good review of the commonly encountered aspects of CV disease.
