BOOK REVIEW

ISSN 0372-5480
Printed in Croatia

ASSHEUER, JOSEF, MARTIN SAGER: MRI and CT atlas of the dog. With over 1200 illustrations (English language). Blackwell Wissenschaft. Berlin-Vienna, 1997. 494 pages. 21 × 28 cm. Hard plastified cover. ISBN 3-89412-164-5. Prices: DEM 298.00/ ÖS 2175.00/ SFr 274.50.

The fundamental precondition for arriving at an unequivocal and accurate diagnosis is to possess an in-depth knowledge of anatomy. Numerous text books on the anatomy of the dog, presenting contemporary methods of ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) have been published to date. The book presently under review is, however, the first atlas of veterinary medicine in which imaging procedures of very fine section plates of different areas of the body, through CT, and magnetic resonance (MR), have been presented. These procedures, routinely applied in human medicine, are now becoming increasingly common in veterinary medicine with the aim of achieving high resolution images of anatomic structures in all the desired directions of a section.

This book comprises six chapters dealing with the following areas of dog anatomy: head, chest, abdomen, spine, front and rear extremities. Chapter designations appear in the left corner of every left page, and those of sub-chapters in the right corner of every right page. Each image is accompanied by a brief anatomical description, scanning procedures and indications of pathomorphological changes. Scans obtained through MR are positioned to the right of CT images and focus on approximately the same planes and sections. In order to demonstrate the wide range of tissue contrast, proton density, T1-, T2- and T2*-weighted of the observed images, they are sometimes positioned in a row and/or a column. CT images with and without a contrast medium, or images of soft tissue or bone are sometimes positioned in a row or a column. Sagittal and dorsal MR scans of varying densities follow transversal images of various body parts. Each imaging of a specific area in one direction is depicted with an image showing the area of section. The subsequent description, given in written form, presents different forms of imaging. Additional text provides the reader with details of scanning techniques.

Every section of the anatomy is illustrated with an adequate number of transversal images, while the MR scan technique is used to illustrate transversal, longitudinal and dorsal sections. Each anatomic structure is shown in at least one section. Contemporary scanning techniques are able to produce a 1-mm section. However, for practical reasons brain scanning has been carried out in 3-mm sections, for joints in 3.5-mm sections, for the spine in 3-mm sections, and for images of the chest and abdomen in 5- to 8-mm sections.

As well as the previously mentioned presentation of different body parts of the dog, CT and MR techniques have also been used to present various pathomorphological changes. The main chapters of this book are followed by the basics of physics and imaging procedures applied in both modern tomographic diagnostic methods of examination.

The book, which abounds with excellent illustrations, will be of considerable assistance both to practicing veterinary practitioners and those involved solely in scientific research. MR imaging can also be applied by physiologists and pharmacologist in their scientific research. The atlas, providing as it does a wealth of images, will be equally valuable to radiologists since it will simplify their task in arriving at a definite and positive diagnosis. Finally, but by no means less important, this book will also be welcomed by students, giving them the opportunity of becoming acquainted with the latest methods of diagnostic procedures.

Mensur Sehic