Fitzpatrick's color atlas & synopsis of clinical dermatology, 6th ed

Abstract

The sixth edition of Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas & Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology features good quality images that illustrate a wide range of dermatologic conditions. Klaus Wolff and Richard Allen Johnson are to be congratulated on their effort. In the 26 years since the first edition, the book has evolved to become a solid reference for students of dermatology. The new edition has been largely reillustrated—roughly 80% of the old images have been replaced. Icons indicate when additional images are available in the online picture gallery. The introduction provides a good approach to examination of the skin, with an excellent pairing of diagrams and clinical images to illustrate the morphology of primary and secondary skin lesions. The table of contents is well organized, making it easy to find both specific entities and categories of disease. Shaded boxes throughout the text focus on key teaching points, and icons indicate the degree of acuity typically associated with each condition and its frequency in clinical practice. Each set of clinical images is paired with a brief synopsis describing the epidemiology, etiology, clinical manifestations, laboratory studies, differential diagnosis, course, and management of the disease. Most of these sections are suitably succinct and balanced. Although most management sections focus on basic options, many of the tables and illustrations are superb and would be helpful to even the most experienced dermatologist. This book makes good use of paired schematics and clinical images, and schematics, such as those explaining desmoglein compensation, make difficult concepts readily accessible to the reader. Well organized tables are a particular strength of the text, especially those that cover the range of drug eruptions and the most likely implicated agents and the table providing a differential diagnosis based on lesion morphology. Tables of organisms and the associated clinical manifestations are also well done, as are those that compare features of similar conditions, such as allergic contact dermatitis and irritant dermatitis. This sixth edition of Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas & Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology would be a wonderful addition to any medical library. It will be particularly helpful as a resource for medical students, residents, primary care physicians, and physician's assistants, but it has many features that will also appeal to practicing dermatologists.