W.R. Reinus, Ed.
New York, NY: Springer, 2014, 180 pages, $49.99
The purpose of this book is to provide optimal imaging options for patient care management. This is a concise, timely guide in this era of improving the quality of health care, reducing health care costs, and improving health outcomes.
The book is divided into 7 chapters addressing organ systems rather than body parts. Chapter 1 discusses the various imaging modalities and contrast agents. Advantages, disadvantages, and limitations are tabulated. Risk factors and adverse effects from the use of contrast media are also discussed. Chapters 2 through 6 are dedicated to neurologic, cardiothoracic, breast, abdominal, and musculoskeletal imaging. Algorithmic approaches and guidelines are provided for commonly encountered medical problems. Chapter 7 is dedicated to vascular imaging. The advantages and disadvantages of the various imaging modalities are described, along with first-line and second-line diagnostic imaging tests.
The chapters are well written, concise, easy to read, and user-friendly. The use of an algorithmic approach to the medical problem allows for rapid decision making. Well-designed tables are also provided.
I can recommend a few improvements for future editions. First, on page 69 there is an algorithm for evaluation of a solitary pulmonary nodule, yet the legend describes the approach for a pulmonary embolus in a pregnant patient. Second, the book needs to cover several additional topics: the use of sedation and anesthesia in pediatric and adult patients who need to undergo certain imaging modalities; the use of glomerular filtration rate as a more sensitive test than creatinine; and the appropriate use of molecular imaging, such as PET/CT and SPECT. Third, the font needs to be enlarged in Figure 6.7, which involves the work-up of a focal bone lesion.
This book is recommended for physicians not familiar with the various imaging modalities and their appropriate use. Others who can benefit from this book are physician assistants, advanced nurse practitioners, nonradiology residents and fellows, and medical students.
As the title states, this is a guide and not an encompassing resource. Other recommended resources include the published “ACR Appropriateness Criteria,” Evidence-Based Imaging: Improving the Quality of Imaging in Patient Care, Evidence-Based Imaging: Optimizing Imaging in Patient Care, and Evidence-Based Imaging in Pediatrics: Improving the Quality of Imaging in Patient Care. The last three are edited by Medina et al. and published by Springer.
Third-party imaging guidelines are also provided by UnitedHealthcareOnline.com. These imaging tests must be approved for payment, and hence third-party payers have their guidelines, which at times can be frustrating in managing patient care.
Footnotes
Published online Feb. 19, 2015.
- © 2015 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.