Meyers SP. Differential Diagnosis in Neuroimaging: Brain and Meninges. Thieme; 2016; 652 pp; 1713 ill; $179.99

Meyers SP. Differential Diagnosis in Neuroimaging: Spine. Thieme; 2016; 288 pp; 309 ill; $149.99

Meyers SP. Differential Diagnosis in Neuroimaging: Head and Neck. Thieme; 2016; 664 pp; 1538 ill; $179.99

With an unprecedented trifecta, Dr. Steven Meyers from the University of Rochester Medical Center has single-handedly authored and simultaneously published 3 books: Differential Diagnosis in Neuroimaging: Brain and Meninges (652 pages), Differential Diagnosis in Neuroimaging: Spine (288 pages), and Differential Diagnosis in Neuroimaging: Head and Neck (664 pages). The set up in each book is similar and follows the same format, which in turn adds to the appeal of these 3 publications.

Each book has a short introduction related to anatomy and/or development, and in some areas there are short descriptions of anatomy and function that precede specific material. Pathological cases are presented in well-defined sections, each containing abundant and well-chosen images that are combined with tables that list each disease and adjacent to columns containing findings and comments on the disease under consideration. This is not a common way of presenting material; however, it is effective, allowing a substantial amount of material to be discussed in a compact space. It also allows a nice separation of imaging findings from other important clinical and pathologic information. I do find it amazing that Dr. Meyers was able to obtain all of these images from his own files and collate them so completely.

The chapters in Brain are: congenital malformations; supratentorial intra-axial lesions; infratentrial intra-axial lesions; multiple lesions; white matter lesions and diffuse lesions in children; lesions of the basal ganglia; neurodegenerative disorders; ischemia/infarction in adults; ischemia/infarction in children; intra- and parasellar lesions; and pineal region lesions. The chapters in Spine are: congenital/development; CV junction abnormalities; spinal cord lesions; intradural lesions; extradural lesions; trauma; lesions of the sacrum solitary osseous lesions; and multifocal lesions. The chapters in Head and Neck are: skull/temporal bone; orbit; paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity; suprahyoid neck; infrahyoid neck; lesions involving both the infra- and suprahyoid neck; and brachial plexus. Multiple subtopics are covered in each chapter. Again, as in the other books, each chapter begins with pertinent anatomic considerations, followed by specifics in each area. As with the brain and spine books, 2 subsequent, consecutive pages have the images on the right page and detailed information about certain tabulated diseases on the left. So, as an example, the table that lists lesions of the prestyloid parapharyngeal space covers 11 pages and is preceded by anatomic drawings.

Every reasonable pathology is covered in detail with excellent imaging. This, along with many other tables in other sections and chapters, is an outstanding way to learn imaging anatomy and corresponding diseases. For this review, I went to the table of contents for each book to look up both common and unusual (rare) abnormalities. All 3 books were extremely complete in this regard. Virtually all entities were present.

This is a highly desirable set of books and would be a valuable addition to any neuroradiologist’s personal collection, and certainly to any departmental or sectional library.