S.P. Meyers. Stuttgart, Germany: Thieme Medical Publishers; 2008, 814 pages, 2,976 illustrations, $249.00.
The close interconnection between neuroradiology and musculoskeletal radiology is exemplified by the newly published book MR Imaging of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors and Tumorlike Lesions. Differential Diagnosis and Atlas by Steven P. Meyers, from the University of Rochester. A glance at just the cover makes one think this could be a neuroradiology text. On the cover are 5 illustrations, 3 of which relate to neuroradiology: the thoracic spine (neurofibromatosis), the lumbar spine (tumor of the posterior elements), and a skull (fibrous dysplasia). As one reads through the text and views the high-quality MR images, one quickly realizes that it is of great value to both disciplines.
After a 16-page Introductory section, which summarizes in tabular form the World Health Organization classification of bone and soft tissue tumors; their immunohistochemical markers; the associated genetic abnormalities; malignant, benign, and tumorlike bone and soft tissue tumors; and staging of tumors, this 814-page book, with 2,976 images, is divided into 2 major sections: 1) Differential Diagnosis Tables and 2) Atlas. The idea behind this is clever and makes for a useful book, because one can either turn to a section (chapter) that deals with the general characteristics of tumors falling into that category, such as the section on “Solitary intramedullary lesions with poorly defined margins of abnormal marrow signal intensity.” For example, one can read the brief tabular information on an ABC (aneurysmal bone cyst), along with appropriate images, or turn to the Atlas section, which gives complete information on an ABC (6 pages with definitions, frequency of occurrence, age, location, clinical signs, gross and histologic findings, genetics, findings on all imaging modalities, abundant illustrations, and references). All bone and soft tissue tumors are categorized in a similar manner. I find it refreshing that, in these days of multi-authored texts, Dr. Meyers alone has collected all of these cases, categorized them so well, and described the imaging and pathologic features so completely. It is a remarkable achievement.
Although it may be somewhat debatable, it is not incorrect to say that many neuroradiologists feel less comfortable dealing with bony and soft tissue tumors in and around the skull and spine. This book is a perfect antidote to that problem because it can serve as a reference source when such lesions are encountered, it can be used as a self-quiz (though the format is not designed in that manner), or it can be used as an authoritative description of all lesions that the neuroradiologist may encounter. For this reviewer, it was educational to go through every spinal, paraspinal, and skull image.
This is a well-written, attractive, perfectly formatted text that belongs either in the personal library of practicing neuroradiologists or, at the minimum, should be readily available in a sectional or departmental library.
