Recent advances in noninvasive diagnostic techniques in vascular disease: Eugene F. Bernstein, ed. St. Louis, 1990, Mosby-Year Book, 373 pages, $67.00

Abstract

Recent advances in noninvasive diagnostic techniques in vascular disease Eugene F. Bernstein, ed. St. Louis, 1990, Mosby-Year Book, 373 pages, $67.00. Dr. Bernstein organized an international meeting in 1977 to bring together many of the recognized experts in noninvasive vascular diagnosis and to document how these new, rapidly evolving techniques were being applied clinically. The proceedings of that meeting were published the following year as the first edition of Noninvasive Diagnostic Techniques in Vascular Disease, which has become one of the standard texts in this field. The most recent edition of that comprehensive text was published in 1985. The present monograph is a shorter (373 pages), somewhat eclectic, summary of recent advances in the noninvasive diagnosis of vascular occlusive disease that have occurred during the 5 years since the publication of the most recent edition of the parent volume. The book is divided into 12 sections of two to five chapters each. Most of the authors are recognized authorities and have written extensively on their assigned topics. After some initial background information, there is a section that focuses on the qualifications and training of the vascular technologist as well as the laboratory's director. The new technique of color-flow Doppler imaging and its current clinical indications are clearly discussed in the subsequent section that contains numerous well-reproduced color plates. Section IV on Transcranial Doppler (TCD) Sonography is particularly notable and reflects Dr. Bernstein's personal interest and leadership in this area. The principles and clinical application of conventional TCD sonography are followed by an authoritative discussion of the more sophisticated, three-dimensional technique. Since TCD sonography is not widely offered in most vascular laboratories, this section might be of particular importance to vascular surgeons unfamiliar with its applications. Two additional sections on carotid artery plaque and asymptomatic carotid stenosis are followed by a section devoted to the intraabdominal applications of duplex scanning. The technical details of each type of testing are adequately described, and the diagnostic criteria are clearly illustrated. Subsequent sections deal with peripheral venous disease, intraoperative monitoring, transcutaneous oxygen tension, and new directions for the noninvasive laboratory. This book is well illustrated and each chapter includes a current, comprehensive list of references. There are few editorial lapses and the book is generally free of the redundancy that is all too typical of multiauthored texts. I can recommend this book enthusiastically to anyone interested in noninvasive vascular diagnosis as an authoritative exposition of the recent advances in this field.