Haaga JR, Boll DT, eds. CT and MRI of the Whole Body. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2016; 2832 pp (including ill); $434.99
The newest edition (6th) of CT and MRI of the Whole Body is a major publication in Diagnostic Radiology. Edited by Drs. John Haaga and Daniel Boll and co-authored by over 171 contributors, the book strives to be all-encompassing. Two volumes, with 2671 pages, cover the basic principles of CT and MR, neuroradiology (brain, spine, head/neck), chest, abdomen/pelvis, MSK, and image-guided procedures. The neuroradiology and abdomen/pelvis portions of the book compose nearly two-thirds of the material. While much of the information can be obtained from multiple other sources (books, review articles, imaging clinics, online information), it is beneficial to have this information under “one roof.” As is common in many publications these days, the book comes with a scratch-off code, allowing one to access the book/images on any device electronically.
From the neuroradiology aspect, the authors have done a good job in combining standard imaging with more advanced techniques. An example of the latter is the chapter on fMR where the fundamental concepts of fMR task involvement, image analysis, and clinical applications are described and shown. Likewise, the 36-page chapter on brain MRs is a thorough description of the technique involved and the value of adding this to routine imaging. The chapter benefits greatly from having a physicist (Dr. Kwock) as the senior author. Throughout multiple chapters, imaging other than standard sequences are shown, such as CT/pMR, permeability curves, PET/CT, and DTI maps. While most of these techniques are applied to the brain, some examples are part of other areas like neck masses. The book is abundantly illustrated with generally acceptable high-quality images (although the chapter on the orbit has some very dated and low-resolution images). Of course, in a general book as this it is not possible to illustrate and discuss all entities one may encounter and address the more unusual diseases; nonetheless, the reader is presented with the images fundamental to neuroradiology. As a strong point, many of the chapters begin with a review of the pertinent anatomy. There are many such sections, but a good example of how nicely this fits in with the clinical material that follows is the anatomic descriptions and illustrations of the larynx by Dr. Curtin.
A significant part (275 pages) of Volume 2 involves image-guided procedures (aspirations, biopsies, and ablation). There is, however, no emphasis on image-guided interventions of the spine; however, this is a growing area for intervention, commonly but not exclusively under CT guidance. A future edition of this book could include those interventions.
As a single publication (2 separate books-Volume 1 and Volume 2), this 6th edition of Dr. Haaga’s ongoing work in CT and MR deserves a place in a Departmental or Sectional library. Although it might be somewhat overwhelming for a first- or second-year resident to tackle, certainly it is a publication which senior residents and fellows should take advantage of. For a neuroradiologist, there are parts of the book which could deserve review and might serve as an update for ongoing changes in neuroimaging. It would not, however, be considered a primary neuroradiology purchase.
