Peris-Celda M; Martinez-Soriano F; Rhoton AL. Rhoton’s Atlas of Head, Neck, and Brain: 2D and 3D Images;Thieme 2017; 648 pp; 624 ill; $ 299.99.
Rhoton’s Atlas of Head, Neck, and Brain represents some of the finest work of the late Dr. Albert L. Rhoton, an extraordinary neurosurgeon, anatomist, and teacher. It is perhaps no surprise then, that this work includes some of the highest quality anatomical dissections of the head, neck, and brain, presented here in exquisite detail.
The book is entirely made of labeled and annotated photographs of cadaveric dissections. Labeled photographs are presented at various depths through the specimen and are typically oriented in classic anterior-posterior, lateral, or top-down views which correlate well with standard radiographical images. The remainder of the dissections are presented in the views that would be obtained during classic surgical approaches.
The organization of the book is intuitive, with bony anatomy, the face and neck, interior structures (ear, nose, pharynx, larynx, orbit), and cranial anatomy presented separately. The sections are further divided into detailed exposures of substructures, often presented in multiple views. Interspersed among the sections devoted to specific entities are views designed to match surgical approaches with specific attention paid to endoscopic views to the cerebral ventricular system and endonasal approach to the anterior skull base. Thus, while the level of detail and sectioning through the cadavers at various depths is appropriate for the most sophisticated anatomists, the overall layout and apparent intention is to aid the surgeon. Some impressive examples include the surgical view during endonasal approaches to the anterior skull base, and midline posterior fossa approaches.
The level of detail is impressive, and the quality of the photographs and cadaveric specimens is spectacular. Even minor nerve branches are often labeled and the relationship of vascular structures with adjacent entities is emphasized. The size of the print and figures is also helpful, in the 11 x 12 inch format – even small structures are easily identifiable. It would be hard to find a comparable resource in terms of breadth of content and quality of detail and photographs.
The style of labeling – discrete lines lead to text labels of all structures on each side of the image – facilitates self-study and enables this book to function as a wonderful educational tool for learning and memorizing anatomy in addition to its status as a near-perfect anatomical reference. There is specific emphasis on the cranial nerves and cerebrovascular anatomy, with a chapter devoted to each subject. This is especially useful as these structures often appear in cross section and can be it if often challenging to track their course in standard serial coronal, sagittal, and axial images.
Thus, the book is well suited as a companion to radiology texts and guides as it can elucidate relationships between anatomical structures that are difficult to appreciate in standard images and cross-section. The index is thorough and matches the detail in labeling, thus providing an efficient means of identifying specific structures and their relevant anatomical relationships in space and in relation to major adjacent structures. Given the emphasis on surgical approaches, one imagines this book offering special value to the radiologist and surgeon, providing an accessible link between important features of radiographic and surgical anatomy.
Finally, 3D images are available online and viewing glasses are included in the book. The images are stunning and the high resolution, three-dimensional views provide the closest approximation to inspecting a dissected cadaver in person. The quality in many of these images is remarkable and enhances one’s appreciation of often complex anatomy of the head, neck and brain. For the surgeon and radiologist, the ability to follow and understand small anatomical structures in relation to major bony and vascular anatomy is vital and this work certainly aides in this endeavor.
In summary, Rhoton’s Atlas of Head, Neck, and Brain is a masterpiece. It is at once a superb anatomical reference in which specific structures are indexed and can be quickly found in various positions and via different views, a companion to the radiologist wherein even the smallest structures can be understood in their position and course, and a guide to the surgeon, who is able to see meticulously dissected views of his or her approach before the operation. But perhaps above all, as the late Dr. Rhoton would have intended, it is ultimately a supreme learning tool for the student of anatomy.
