Asian–Oceanian textbook of radiology: By W. C. G. Peh and Y. Hiramatsu. Hardcover, 1300 pp. TTG Asia Media, Singapore, 2003. Price US$120, €98

Abstract

This well-illustrated textbook contains 2388 figures and 75 tables in 1326 pages. It is packaged into a single volume, with 55 chapters divided into two sections. As its name suggests, this is a radiology textbook written by 80 Asian–Oceanian authors working in 15 different countries in the region. As such, this textbook is the first of its kind and the editors deserve special recognition on this feat alone. This book is aimed primarily at radiology trainees and the general radiologist wanting some revision or a concise reference. This book succeeds in giving the readers an Asian–Oceanian perspective of radiology. All the authors are prominent radiologists practicing in the Asian–Oceanian region and demonstrate their wealth of experience in the various chapters throughout the book. More importantly, many of these authors have worked in countries outside their own region, giving them the unique advantage of knowing the practice of radiology in different parts of the world. Most of the material covered in this book is directly applicable to radiology anywhere in the world and not just in Asia or Oceania. The basics of radiology are covered in the first section (Imaging techniques—basic principles) which includes radiography, contrast agents, ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, interventional radiology and radiation protection. The second section, which makes up 1000 pages of this book, covers anatomy and diseases using a system-based approach. The second section of this book is organized with respect to six organ systems: head and neck; thorax and circulation; abdomen: solid organs; abdomen: hollow organs; reproductive; and musculoskeletal. Within each system sub-section, a detailed radiological description of the organ or region is first provided as a backbone on which pathology specific to the region is then discussed. This detailed anatomical information is particularly relevant to our ever-changing specialty, where with each advance, the anatomical detail available on the images increases significantly. The diseases are presented in a problem orientated approach to the use of imaging which is useful especially for trainees since it simulates the real clinical situation. All chapters provide insights on specific diseases from an Asian–Oceanian perspective. Sections that deserve special mention for their regional perspective on diseases include those on diseases of the ear, nose and throat, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, diseases of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. In addition, in the final sub-section (multisystem diseases and future trends), there are separate chapters on tropical diseases and paediatrics to further elaborate on the regional experience. Given the constraints of production, the editors and authors deserve to be congratulated on their efforts in providing a chapter on the imaging of SARS. They have provided important information of the first worldwide epidemic of this millennium, severe acute respiratory syndrome, making it one of the very few textbooks with such current and timely information. This textbook is strong in ultrasound, with illustrative examples of diseases covering all organs. This is probably a reflection of the method of radiology practice in the region and the expertise thus available. This is sometimes a deficiency in the American and European radiology textbooks, and this book therefore succeeds in providing a different perspective to the investigative approach to diseases in this part of the world. It is difficult not to compare this textbook with other major general textbooks in radiology, namely, Grainger and Allison's Diagnostic Radiology and Textbook of Radiology and Imaging by David Sutton. In common with both of these major works, the Asian–Oceanian Textbook of Radiology is comprehensive, well written and well illustrated. The information provided is succinct, as a result of which the editors have been able to keep this a single volume book (particularly attractive in a busy practice or study session from a practical point of view). There is room for improvement for a second edition particularly in the quality of some of the images. In addition, there have been major improvements in the spatial resolution for computed tomography with multi-detector machines. This and other radiology textbooks will need to incorporate new images and discuss the use of planes other than the axial plane as the primary plane of imaging or illustration. In summary, this is a concise and well-written textbook, which should serve both radiology trainees and radiologists well.