Breast MRI. Fundamentals and technical aspects

In this pocket-size, soft cover 241 page book (hard cover edition published in 2008) prof. Hendrick shares all his experience and knowledge he has gathered over the years as a researcher and teacher in the fi eld of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The topic is not so simple, yet the way it is addressed (one-on-one teacher-student approach) offers a continuous exchange of knowledge between the teacher and pupil driving to the expected mastering of the subject matter. Starting from the fundamentals of magnetic resonance breast imaging one is taken through all its different modalities and sequences, learning how to use these and how MRI works. Much discussion is devoted to contrast agents, protocols (acquisition and post-processing), artefacts and errors. Hints are also given on safety and patients considerations and to new developments in breast MRI. A very useful appendix on MRI patient and non-patient screening forms in english and spanish, closes the book. The author refers to the “mathematically inclined reader” in order to help him properly understand some of the presented – sometimes at large – formulas; I would also include the “physics inclined reader” since without this sort of inclination and knowledge one would sometimes get lost. The book will be greatly appreciated by all those who are dealing with breast MRI due to its more and more widespread use and its importance in the clinical and diagnostic setting. The less than 10 minute procedure time, due to the use of updated, and even dedicated, scanners and proposed protocols, makes breast MRI competitive and offers more information (just to quote the perfusion curves) than mammography. BOOK REVIEW RECENSIONE