The diagnostic capabilities of ultrasound provide an accurate assessment of the size, shape, and location of a mass. The reliability of sonography in evaluating this patient, both pre- and postoperatively, provided invaluable information, aiding the attending physician in his treatment and in his evaluation of the prognosis.

During the last two years 73 patients with a total number of 84 abdominal abscesses have been investigated by ultrasound. Two thirds of the patients (67%) had postoperative abscesses. Spontaneous abscesses occurred in the remaining 33%. Multiple abscesses occurred in the postoperative group only (7 patients). The overall sensitivity in detecting an abscess was 84%. The sensitivity was much better with spontaneous abscesses (92%) than with postoperative abscesses (80%). One third of the patients have also been investigated by computed tomography. The diagnosis was confirmed either by needle aspiration or by operative drainage. Ultrasound was most useful in detecting abscesses in the right and left upper quadrant and in the pelvis, while CT was superior in the mid-abdomen and when dealing with multiple abscesses.

This small, easy-to-read textbook is volume 1 of Monographs in Clinical Pediatrics. The author, James A. Keipert, is a general pediatrician with an interest in pediatric dermatology. The volume contains 25 short, organized chapters that focus on the clinical features of common cutaneous disorders in children. The emphasis is on diagnosis, with some discussion of treatment and essentially no discussion of histopathology or basic science. Rarer dermatoses are mentioned briefly.The highlights of this textbook are the concise and practical nature of the text and the excellent clinical photographs in color. There are 150 color plates and many other black-and\x=req-\ white photographs. Certain chapters were especially instructive, including chapter 2 ("Diagnosis of Skin Disorders"), with a good explanation of morphology and descriptive terms, and chapter 3 ("Pharmacology of Skin Disorders"), which contains an outstanding discussion on the use of topical agents and the types of preparations available.This book is intended and appropriate for medical students, pediatricians, family practitioners during their early train¬ ing, and other health care professionals. It would be too elementary for dermatologists in training or in practice, ex¬ cept for those hoping to gain insight into a pédiatrie approach when caring for their younger patients. This textbook would be an excellent choice for pediatricians or medical students while rotating through clinical dermatology électives. of Therapeutics has been a trusted resource for medical students and physicians for the past 50 years. This edition, the eighth, consists of 67 chapters contributed by 61 authors. The book is divided into 17 sections that cover general principles, organ-specific therapeutics, anti-inflammatory agents, anti \x=req-\ infectious agents, chemotherapy of neoplastic diseases, immunosuppression, vitamins, and toxicology. A brief, 20-page section on dermatology has been written by Mary Margaret Shren and David Viccars.The basic format of Goodman and Gillman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics has not changed. The book begins with a thorough review of the general principles of pharmacology, including pharmacokinetics, mechanisms of action, and toxicology. The content, however, has been significantly updated to include recently acquired experimental information. As an example, this edition has a well-written review of transmembrane signaling mechanisms, including G proteins and the protein kinases. The information on organ-specific and disease-specific drugs has also been similarly and significantly updated. The most current references are from 1989.The brief chapter on dermatological pharmacology is well done, succinct, and complete. Topical therapy, the retinoids, photochemotherapy, and systemic therapies for cutaneous diseases are all adequately covered. If you have not updated your version of Goodman and Gillman's The Pharmacologi¬ cal Basis of Therapeutics, the eighth edition is a good reason to do it now.

Image contrast and delineation of organs to neighboring structures as well as reduction of artifacts in cystic structures and vessels are statistically significantly improved with THI sonography using pulse-inversion technology in comparison to conventional sonography.

Skin disorders are very common among elderly people. All physicians who care for this population should possess the ability to recognise common benign growths. Primary care physicians should also have the ability to recognise premalignant and malignant lesions, so that early diagnosis and treatment is possible. It is puzzling that the organ system most amenable to examination is so often overlooked in routine examinations. By simply taking the time to perform a skin examination, morbidity and mortality can be decreased. Through improvements in pharmacotherapy, particularly the development of more effective sunscreens, it may eventually be possible to markedly reduce the development of many benign and malignant skin lesions.