Ulcerative colitis

of the different stages of rectal cancer have been well illustrated. The examples of hyperechoic and hypoechoic node enlargements are somewhat confusing, as it is difficult to distinguish between the two in the examples shown. Perhaps a few examples of tumour invasion into the sphincters could have been included to help the reader when assessing patients for sphincter saving surgery. The book is very well written and makes easy reading. Any young surgeon who reads it from beginning to end will have a very good grasp of rectal endosonography. D KUMAR