Massoud TF, ed. Mukherji SK, consulting ed. Neuroimaging Anatomy, Part 2: Head, Neck, and Spine, An Issue of Neuroimaging Clinics of North America. Theclinics.com; 2022;32(4):1052–5149; Online and print $413.00; Online only $359.00
The November 2022 issue of Neuroimaging Clinics deals with a myriad of material relating to normal anatomy. As all neuroradiologists are aware, a deep understanding of normal anatomy is the key to successful interpretations of MRI and CT, so a volume such as this can have great value.
Dr. Massoud, the guest editor of this issue, along with 24 authors, has assembled 13 chapters totaling 215 pages, all of which have relevance to our daily practice of radiology. He has done an excellent job of gathering in 1 issue anatomic features that should be read, reread, and reviewed. These chapters in order are: Anatomy of the Orbit; Sinonasal Anatomy; Maxillofacial Skeleton and Facial Anatomy; Anatomy of the Mandible, TM Joint, and Dentition; Temporal Bone Anatomy; Oral Cavity and Salivary Gland Anatomy; Anatomy of the Pharynx and Cervical Esophagus; Anatomy of the Larynx and Cervical Trachea; Anatomy of Neck Muscles, Spaces, and Lymph Nodes; Root of the Neck and Extracranial Vessel Anatomy; Craniocervical Junction and Cervical Spine Anatomy; Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Anatomy; and Anatomy of the Spinal Cord, Coverings, and Nerves.
The chapters vary in their presentation of the pertinent material, but all summarize at the conclusion of each chapter what the clinical care points are, expressed in very general terms. The variation in chapters is exemplified by looking, for example, at the chapter on sinonasal anatomy, where the authors nicely present in tabular form patterns of pneumatization/ossifications of the sinuses, dimensions of structures, and surgically important details, among other important details. This type of detail is important for reference material, but authors in some other chapters do not present their material in such a precise way.
The chapter on maxillofacial skeleton and facial anatomy does bring about a degree of sadness when it is realized that the co-author of this material is Peter Som, a pioneer in head and neck radiology, who has recently passed away. His contributions to our field have been enormous and it is recalled how glad he was to bring this material, particularly the detailed description of facial muscles, to the attention of neuroradiologists.
The illustrative material is for the most part of good quality; however, in several chapters the labeling is so small and indistinct that a magnifying glass is needed to easily see the material shown. This detracts from the educational value of some of the chapters; you give up trying to squint through several illustrations. One should not have to have the visual acuity of a Navy carrier pilot to appreciate the labeled material. A prime example of this is Figure 10 in the chapter on the root of the neck. Even with a magnifying glass, it is a strain to go through the labeling. Additionally, it is noted that a few illustrations are far too dark and too small to fully appreciate the anatomy (examples are Figures 8 and 10 in the chapter on neck muscles).
Those drawbacks aside, this is a highly valuable issue because it not only reviews pertinent and important anatomy but also emphasizes and, in some cases, introduces anatomy with which a neuroradiologist may not be facile or confident. There are many noteworthy chapters and specific material in each chapter; among these is the material on the larynx and cervical trachea, the extracranial vessel anatomy, data on the paranasal sinuses, and pharyngeal anatomy.
This issue is a highly recommended purchase. If it is on one’s bookshelf, it will be referred to frequently.
