Book Review: The Pioneers of NMR and Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

This is the second edition of a multi-authored handbook of interventional radiology. While intended primarily for radiologists and interventional fellows, it has wide applicability for surgeons, particularly those interested in endovascular techniques. The purpose of this book is to provide a ready reference for those involved in the day-to-day practice of interventional radiology. It includes major sections on diagnostic angiography, vascular intervention, non-vascular intervention and non-invasive vascular evaluation. In addition, there are major sections describing the methodologies used in interventional radiology including contrast media, needles, guidewires, catheters and stents and sections on nursing management, radiation safety, drug administration, medications and anatomy. The book is encyclopedic in scope, but is really quite compact and portable as befits a true 'handbook'. This handbook is telegraphic in style and concise in its presentation. It is full of practical information that would be particularly valuable for a practitioner becoming involved in endovascular therapy. Each chapter is clearly written with excellent illustrations. This reviewer found the anatomic and technical descriptions quite helpful. Each chapter includes a discussion of procedure-related complications and their management. Many of the chapters on interventional techniques include a current summary of expected results. This reviewer found the presentation of indications and results extremely well balanced. In addition, each chapter is accompanied by 30-50 selected current references should the reader wish to delve further into any particular area. While a major portion of the book deals with the vascular aspects of interventional radiology, there is also a thorough discussion of non-vascular techniques. This reviewer found the discussion of contrast media, media reactions and their treatment and the various guidewires and stents used in interventional work to be extremely helpful. In summary, this is an eminently practical, highly readable reference source. It is well indexed and clearly illustrated. This reviewer recommends it enthusiastically as an excellent resource for the resident, fellow, or staff physician who is undertaking clinical work in interventional procedures, including endovascular surgery. John J. Ricotta, MI) State Uniuersiv of New York at Bu$& Buff&, NY