Jean WC. Skull Base Surgery: Strategies. Thieme 2019; 455 pp; 505 ill; $249.99.
The richly illustrated, 455-page hardcover book entitled Skull Base Surgery: Strategies should be of great interest to all neuroradiologists. Edited by Walter Jean, MD, from George Washington University Hospital, 112 contributors have written 32 chapters on the day-to-day practice of neuroradiology. In addition to intra-operative imaging, the book also shows CT and MRI at the skull base. Readers will appreciate the multiple factors that go into surgical decisions based on specific locations, surrounding vascular structures, “corridors” of approach, and details of the actual surgery itself. Additionally, questions are interspersed within each chapter, encouraging the reader to think along with the author. These questions, and the text that follows, involve not only the differential diagnosis, but the crucial observations needed for reporting.
This book is divided into 9 major divisions, each containing multiple chapters on tumors of the anterior skull base; antero lateral skull base; lateral skull base; central skull base; cliuus; petrous bone; postero superior skull base; poster inferior skull base; and ventricles.
What makes the subject matter more interesting is the manner in which each topic is dealt. A typical case (or 2 cases) of the region has image assessment, pre-operative anatomic /therapeutic considerations, technique, and post-op care. Following each subject, are a few pages entitled “perspective,” tackling the same lesions, but offers another perspective.
The subspecialty division of neurosurgery has created (in many large academic centers) a separate division of—or center for—skull base surgery. This highly technical area requires knowledge by the radiologist of what the main considerations of the surgeon are, not only diagnostically, but also the vital information that is needed before surgery.
Supplemented by video clips for each surgery, one can quickly grasp the approaches needed. This book is given the highest possible recommendation, and if not for an individual purchase, it should be available in a departmental library.
