Customer Reviews

Neuroradiology: The Requisites, 2e (Requisites in Radiology)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

First of all, this is a good book. It covers most of the topics a 1st year radiology resident needs to know. However, it wanders too much on shallow comments and -supposedly funny- jokes that only distracted me from my study. I'm a person who struggles to keep her concentration, I have a poor attention span, if you will, so when I was reading something complex (as most of the subjects in neuroradiology are) and then the authors ended up with a lame joke, it was as if everything I just read became lost. That may be 'my' limitation, as I mentioned, not a real flaw of the book, but I think people who, like me, need a more 'clasically' structured and 'traditionally' written text, should be warned that this volume of the Requisites series isn't the most adequate to suit their way of study.

As Director of Neuroradiology at a Harvard teaching hospital for many years, I have been responsible for recommending texts for residents to begin their study of my subspecialty. When this book was first published, it happened to be the year in which our subspecialty offered its own examination for certification. Because I was interested in finding a text to provide a current survey of the field, I bought this book. Little did I know how comprehensive this text was- a true "bang for the buck". The coverage of the field, including neck imaging, is remarkably thorough and up-to-date, considering the current edition is 6 years old.

The only minor deficiency is a paucity of illustrations, but I believe a pictorial work book keyed and correlated to this text has now been published.

What makes this text unique is the authors' wry sense of humor, with "zingers" appearing unexpectedly- they literally wake you up and provide encouragement to finish even the most challenging chapters. The final sections, which include a unique chapter on how to interpret MR and CT images, as well as lists of differential diagnoses, are real gems.

In summary- as Karl Malden said- "Don't Leave Home Without It". The book is small enough to carry, and a valuable resource from which to learn while one works in the radiology reading room.

The paper is like standard laser paper and the pictures and text are washed out in appearance. The font also was decreased in size, which further makes it difficult to read. It would have been better to print on better quality paper with a larger font and more contrast. The slight increase in cost for the consumer would have been worth it. I returned this book after I called and asked if they made a mistake in the printing, but they said the book was intended as I described it.

Use an older version or one of the many other introductory neuroradiology texts. Even the preface to the current edition of this book states that most of the text is factually unchanged except for the stroke chapter.

"Whew! It is never over. This book has been a pustule on our rear for so long. I will never write a third edition - you can bet the estate on it. So yes, David, you can be the first author of the third edition. ...."

So begins the introduction by Robert Grossman to this second edition of "Neuroradiology: The Requisites".

It is a bit strange to see so many bad jokes and bad poems and such blunt Asperger syndrome-type language in what should be a dry and scholarly textbook for serious professionals, but at least the book is never boring. RIG and DMY manage to skewer surgeons, lawyers, HMOs, FMGs, other radiologists, their wives, each other, and most of all, Bill and Hilary Clinton, while educating us all about the essence of Neuroradiology. Strangely enough, the words "George Bush" are completely absent from this book - one wonders because the authors work hard to be equal opportunity jokesters, and DMY states in the book that he is a liberal Democrat. But then, remember that this book was finished right around the time that the War in Iraq Part Deux was getting started, a time when people were getting death threats just for even wondering out loud - "Gee what if Saddam doesn't have any WMDs?" I do get a distinct feeling that both these guys were probably in favor of regime change in Iraq in any case.

(For all you young, liberal Democrat, whippersnapper Radiology residents out there, basking in your multiple job offers, let me explain that Bill and Hilary will forever live in a very hot and dark place in the memories of older Radiologists for creating the last big Down cycle in our field, the Great Job Depression of 1994-1998. In one of his first major policy speeches on health care reform, Bill Clinton singled out the MRI scanner as a prime example of how expensive and wasteful healthcare in the US had become. Subsequently, the volume of MRI scans nationwide shot downward, MR centers closed right and left, and radiology jobs disappeared. In the fall of 1995, there were only four full time radiology job openings in the entire state of California advertised in the ACR Professional Bureau.............Never Forget! Never Forgive!)

This book is more than enough for the Radiology resident studying to take the Radiology Boards. That's what it was designed for. It is also a great book for the old farts in private practice to review and get updated on the latest stuff.

Being an old fart in private practice, I read this book to study for the Maintenance of Certificate (MOC) exam for the Neuroradiology CAQ. I passed, but I'm pretty sure they graded on a curve, because that was one heck of a hard test, way harder than the original Neuro CAQ. Good thing I also scanned through Ann Osborne's "Diagnostic Imaging: Brain"; plus I paged through Som and Curtin's two volume "Head and Neck Imaging" book on CD. Both texts were also useful for the MOC.

Ah, what the heck, they probably passed everybody .......don't let me scare you, go ahead and take the MOC....

The only criticism that I have for this book is that a few of the illustrations are just awful, really poor transfers from the original. The authors do acknowledge this problem in the introduction. Plus, for some interesting entities there are no images, whereas for some relatively common things (at least in private practice, possibly these are extremely rare in academia?) like synovial cysts of the lumbar spine, there are, what, some FIFTEEN images?! Like, I have NEVER seen a synovial cyst before, please show me more examples!

But then again, there were a series of questions about synovial cysts of the lumbar spine on the MOC exam. So, kudos, for a job well done!

Neuroradiology is a must for every Radiology resident. It is an excellent introduction to the complex and fascinating subject of neuroradiology. Unlike most medical writing, the book has humor and is "conversational" keeping the reader involved. It covers not only the anatomy and pathology involving the brain and spinal cord, but also the orbit, sinuses, and neck region. Strongly recommend to every radiology resident and any budding neuroradiologist. Awaiting the 2000 edition!

I have the second edition of this book. Very well written in a fun and sarcastic way making it pleasant to read. Clear pictures with clinical background. I have reviewed many books on neuroradiology, by far, this is the best. The "Cranial Anatomy" chapter alone is an excellent review on normal anatomy. A clinician does not need more than the chapter on "Techniques on Neuroimaging" to learn about the physics of imaging.

...considering that most users are junior residents (and the occasional insane med student), it would be great if it were a little less expensive. Overall, outstanding.

Our RAdiology residency has this text as a reading for book club and of all of us who purhcased the book either this year or in prior years, the binding fell apart within weeks. Unacceptable for any hardbound textbook. Also, the authors are somewhat clever, however I noticed that when you're really focusing in, that some of the comments become distracting--I've even had some of my attendings say you should blacken them out as you go through.

Otherwise, a good, concise, well-laid out text. I would recommend except to expect the binding to fall apart regardless of how hard you try....

The authors want to transmit their knowledge to the reader. They are real teachers, as all textbook authors should be. Their aim is to help us learn neuroradiology and not just enrich their CV like many others do. Congratulations and thank you!

I am an internal medicine doctor and I also care for pediatric patients. This book, Neuroradiology: The Requisites, is designed for radiology residents who are on their neuroradiology rotation. However, this excellent book is very useful for any physician who cares for patients with neurologic problems. I read the book with great pleasure and, and I hope, with great benefit for my future patients.

It is an excellent review of neurologic imaging and clarified many areas of neuroradiology for me. Most important, the book will help me choose the most appropriate neuroimaging procedure for a given clinical situation. It will also help me understand more clearly the neuroradiologist's report. And it will help me discuss cases with my neuroradiologist.

I recommend this book to any primary care physician (internist, pediatrician, family physician, and emergency physician) with an interest in neuroimaging. You will be rewarded.