Restrepo CS, Zangan SM. RadCases Plus Q&A Thoracic Imaging; Thieme;2018;260 pp;550 ill.;$69.99.
RadCases Plus Q&A Thoracic Imaging offers a case-based, minimalist review of thoracic imaging covering the necessary thoracic basics for radiologists at all levels of training. This updated version brings more detail, as well as opportunity, for exam preparation with a newly added question bank. Beyond that, the book offers the expected formula which has made it a popular, go-to source for radiologists and radiologists in training.
This second edition offers several welcome changes. The most appreciated change is the inclusion of a greater variety of imaging modalities for some cases when compared to the prior. Several cases have added plain film accompaniment to CT images or vice versa. Offering these correlates increases the utility of this book as a tool to improve a radiologist’s skills at the workstation rather than only practicing test taking skills. Room for improvement remains in image size and contrast. Subtle findings require high levels of lighting or prolonged close inspection, as the small images often reach the limits of the printed resolution, especially for nuanced interstitial patterns.
Additionally, the printing method seems to diminish contrast which is most often apparent on the plain films where it is common to only see findings once they have been pointed out on the subsequent page. Interestingly, some of the image labels [arrows] have been revised for this version; simplified in some cases or completely reworked in others. These changes may or may not be an improvement, but the presence of these annotations is once again appreciated.
Another area of update includes the case explanations. Overall, the book offers the most salient points of each pathology for a given case including concise description of common imaging findings. The cases are reviewed in three sections following the initial presentation of a one-line vignette and images. These sections include differential diagnosis, essential facts, and pearls and pitfalls. Additional points have been added to many cases for this edition, most commonly in the pearls and pitfalls section. The book seems well edited with no typographical errors noticed while reading at a regular pace.
Additionally, the information is accurate and straightforward lacking controversial statements and always appearing well aligned with reference materials commonly used when studying for exams. A subjective criticism is that the explanations may sometimes be superfluously wordy especially for a book written in bullet point style. The information is not excessive but often the diction is. This only becomes an issue when the book is utilized as a quick review tool as many may do in the months leading up to a board exam. A possible solution would be to add a text box to each case under the title of “Flash card” where the most vital two to three points are listed in telegraphic phrasing.
Given the volume of information required for all radiologists to assimilate, this would be a pragmatic means of offering a memorization tool integrated into the book. Aside from this, one of the most appreciated aspects is the inclusion of clinical information, notably, features of management; these tidbits are often difficult to come across in a lot of other review materials and it places the pathologies in a greater context, offering some knowledge about the moments after we submit our reports. Also found, are occasional obscure clinical facts which not only makes for a more knowledgeable physician, but also make the book more memorable and entertaining.
Likely, the greatest change is the inclusion of a question bank at the end of the book. This update significantly improved its functionality as a source for board preparation. The questions are in order of the cases and labeled as such. This offers the opportunity to do a question with each case while reading the book. They are in the typical, multiple-choice format and although given their association with a known case, they are never about figuring out the diagnosis. Instead, the questions test relevant or at least related facts, and answers are offered immediately after each question with the correct answer choice bolded. For some, this may mandate the use of a tool to cover the answer as one reviews the question. Explanations are appropriately concise allowing for palatable repetition of questions as a memorization tool. It is important to note though that these questions are not stylistically similar to the more difficult questions found in board exams, such as the ABR’s core exam, nor do they test the more obscure details found among those questions.
Another interesting detail is that there is no obvious order to the cases. Some may find this unstructured approach difficult when using the book for reference, but given its case-based format, its typical use case is better served without an obvious structure so adjacent cases cannot be guessed based on order.
Some of the described features of this book strengthen its usefulness for a broad audience. The way the case reviews lack overwhelming detail allows it to be a good introductory case book for a new resident after reading a more traditional thoracic radiology text. As mentioned, the inclusion of a question bank brings the book into the modern era as well as allows for residents (or others with approaching standardized exams) a means to review and practice. Although, this audience could be better served if a means of quick review of the cases were added so that the book could be drilled in the month before an exam. Finally, the appropriate level of detail found in each case as well as the multiple plain film and CT correlates for many cases makes the book useful for those already done with their training and just hoping for a book with the ability to refresh some of the facts they may have forgotten along the way.
For those seeking more information, the references are listed at the back of the book and organized according to each case. The sources appear to be reputable journals with necessary page numbers and sections needed to find the information.
Overall, the book is easy to recommend, given its effective formula for not only reviewing information, but also learning. Value has definitely been added with the new question bank. Image quality remains somewhat limited, but still manageable. Some may find the sentences within a little wordy, but the material itself limits the information to an appropriate level. This book is a good purchase for a wide audience, given its few shortcomings in an otherwise highly effect review method.
