Scott-Brown’s Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, 7th edn

Abstract

This new edition has been fully updated and almost entirely rewritten by an international team of editors and contributors. Much of the credit must go to the editorial team for maintaining its format and excellent content throughout. The aim is ‘to be used as the definitive reference for trainee and specialist ENT surgeons, audiologists and trainee head and neck surgeons.’ It easily achieves this aim. The previous six-volume text has been condensed into three. The number of chapters has been increased, with a total of 20 sections and 260 chapters, highly illustrated in colour throughout. Each section has standard format with key points and best-practice summaries, which aid the reader to focus on the main teaching points. The text is accompanied by a fully searchable electronic edition, containing the same content as the print edition, with references linked to MEDLINE®. This gives the reader requiring more information an excellent starting point. It costs slightly more than alternative texts of similar breadth and depth but it does represent value for money given its broad coverage. The first volume covers basic science and paediatrics. The chapters on management of congenital deformities of the external and middle ear, laryngeal stenosis, and paedatric tracheostomy and craniofacial anomalies are excellent. The second volume covers rhinology and head and neck oncology. The chapters on anatomy of the nose, paranasal sinuses, surgical management of rhinosinusitis, abnormalities of smell, frontal sinus and diagnosis of facial pain are highly recommended reading for all ENT practitioners. In the head and neck section the chapters on objective evaluation of the voice, parapharyngeal space, hypopharynx, metastatic neck disease, and quality of life for head and neck cancer and palliative care are excellent. Of specific note in the third volume are two chapters focusing on prosthetics and reconstruction. David Gault’s chapter on ear reconstruction is superb. The chapters on anatomy of the skull base and infratemporal fossa, physiology of hearing and balance, and clinical neuroanatomy are also excellent.