106 C L I N I C A L RADIOLOGY

B O O K R E V I E W S

The Anatomic Foundation of Neuroradiology of the Brain. 2nd Edition. MCCLURE WILSON. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh. Price, £7"50.

Much of the difficulty - and fascination - of neuroradio- logy stems from the complexity of its three dimensional structure with its interrelated functions, and a thorough grasp of this structure is essential to any understanding of neuro- radiology. A separate text is desirable to supplement stan- dard books on neuroradiology, and this book makes a welcome addition to the literature.

The book is divided into three main sections - traditional neuroanatomy, encephalographic anatomy, and angio- graphic anatomy. The latter is by far the largest section, but this is consistent with contemporary practice.

The section on neuroanatomy is clear and concise, though rather more reference to function would be welcome. The sections relating to encephalographic and angiographic anatomy are comprehensively illustrated. The supporting text is well-written, succint and clear, and not merely a description of what is already obvious from the illustrations. Confusing anatomical variants are dealt with throughout the text.

The angiographic section is detailed, some parts being more appropriate to the specialised rather than the general reader. I t is clearly stated when some of the angiographic anatomy is of little help in diagnosis.

This compact, competent and well-written monograph is warmly recommended to all departments with trainees studying radiological anatomy, as well as to more specialised readers concerned with neuroradiology.

N, A. LEWTAS.

Roentgenologic Atlas of the Hand and Wrist in Systemic Disease. By MORRISON E. KRICUN, M.D. and JACK EDEIKEN, M.D. The Williams and Wilkins Co., Baltimore 1973 (Churchill Livingstone, Publishers, Edinburgh -

Agents in U.K.) Price £9. To quote the authors "This is an Atlas - not a Textbook",

but unlike many textbooks, relevant references are given for most of the conditions illustrated. The illustrations are of a good standard and the atlas is comprehensive. It is a pity that the written text has been so rigorously kept to a minimum because on many pages the blank spaces could be usefully filled with more detailed descriptions and a differential diagnosis. This book will be worth buying for any Departmental Library, if only for the references.

MALCOLM CHAPMAN

Catecholamines. Edited by Leslie L. Iversen. British Medical Bulletin, Volume 29 No. 2, May 1973. Price £2"25.

This well-planned symposium is designed to bring the reader up-to-date with the biosynthesis and catabolism of catecholamines, and the physiological processes concerned in these mechanisms are also described. These topics are covered in the first eleven chapters which are lucid and well- illustrated, but on the whole too chemically orientated to be of interest to the average reader of this journal. Articles follow dealing with the mechanism of action of antihyper- tensive drugs (Dr. R. Laverty), the use of some of these drugs in the treatment of hypertension (Prof. C. T. Dollery), and the pharmacological background to [3-blocking agents (Dr. J. W. Black and Dr. B. N. C. Prichard). These are of un- questionable interest to practising physicians and to all who, at some time or another, are likely to be concerned in the diagnosis and management of the hypertensive patient. I t is regrettable that the topics selected could not have been broadened to allow consideration of further clinical aspects of this fascinating field. In particular, the diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma and the treatment of neuroblastomas, in both of which the radiologist has much to contribute, receive no mention.

DAVID M. GOLDBERG.