Computed Tomography of the Lung: A Pattern Approach

The purpose of this book is to present a pattern approach, using high-resolution CT, to evaluate the pulmonary parenchyma in normal and diseased states. By using this pattern recognition, the reader should be able to focus on the pulmonary abnormalities and render a differential diagnosis.

This book is aimed toward radiology residents and fellows, as well as trainees in pulmonary medicine. However, this book can also be used by radiologists not dedicated to thoracic imaging and by pulmonologists.

The book is organized into 8 chapters, and all of these chapters are coauthored by the same 2 radiologists. This coauthorship yields a consistent presentation of concepts and avoids duplication.

After the first chapter, which is an introduction, a good presentation of basic anatomy and CT of the normal lung lays the groundwork for the subsequent discussions. The next 2 chapters address diseases creating increased and decreased lung attenuation. These are followed by a chapter on a nodular pattern and one on a linear pattern. The last chapter contains multiple case studies whereby the reader can practice the pattern recognition presented in the book.

The information given in each chapter, which flows and reads well, is concise. If the reader is in training or not a dedicated thoracic radiologist, other resource materials may be needed to fill the void.

Related books on high-resolution CT include Multidetector-Row CT of the Thorax (2004, edited by U.J. Schoepf), High Resolution CT of the Lung (2001, by W.R. Webb et al.), and Imaging of the Airways: Functional and Radiologic Correlations (2005, by D.P. Naidich et al.).

This book belongs in the teaching library of radiology residents and fellows. It will give these trainees a good approach to evaluating pulmonary diseases.