Radiography (1997) 3, 321

BOOK REVIEW

T H ; L I o E OF R A A P H E R S

A. C. BROWER, Arthritis in black and white, 2nd edn, W. B. Saunders, 1997,428 pp, £56.00. ISBN 0-7216-5152-6

Anne Brower sets out her stall in the preface, and lets us know clearly the purpose of this compact text. It is, she states, intended as a practical guide to the common arthropathies and plain film interpretation. The radiographs illustrate the hallmarks of those diseases, not the 'gray zones'. As such, this book is designed for genera! radiologists, rheumatologists and radiologists in training. It is not a reference text, and one should not expect to find comprehensive documentation of all aspects of arthritic disease.

The first chapter deals with imaging techniques and imaging modalities. There is an adequate if not extensive description of plain X-ray technique, and a brief outline of the role of other imaging modalities. Scant attention is paid, in particular, to the potential of MRI and ultrasound in rheumatology. However, this is not a major fault in a text that concerns itself with primarily plain film diagnosis.

The remainder of the book is divided into two sections. The first of these is dedicated to radiographic changes within specific joints; namely the hand, foot, hip, knee, shoulder, SI joint and the 'phytes of the spine'. In each chapter the features of the common arthropathies pertinent to that joint are documented. The section on the hand discusses in detail the approach to critical interpretation of radiographic images. The chapters on the foot, hip and spine are especially well illustrated, with clear explanation of the radiological findings in various rheumatological disorders.

The second section deals with specific articular diseases by chapter. There are a significant number of duplicated illustrations in this section. However, this is again a pardonable sin, because the text is in part designed as a 'look up' to answer queries in individual cases. All the common, and some of the not so common arthropathies are included. The text is compact but appropriate and always clear and logical. Although the quality of the radiographic images is variable, the pertinent radiological features are usually readily apparent.

So then, has Ms Brower achieved her aims as outlined in the preface? The answer to this question must be yes! This textbook provides an excellent introduction for trainees, and for those who have read a little and found confusion herein lies clarity. It would also make a great bench book in any reporting room, and come to think of it a useful aide memoire when preparing tutorials.

Finally it will prove irresistible to those of us who prefer textbooks with more pictures than words.

R. Campbell South Tees Acute Hospitals" Nt IS Trust,

South Cleveland Hospital, Middlesbrough

1078 8174/97/040321+01 $18.00 © 1997 The College of Radiographers