Fundamentals of Surgical Practice. 2nd Edn A. Kingsnsorth and A. Majid (eds). 189 × 246 mm. Pp. 545. Illustrated. 2006. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge. £55·00

Abstract

eds) 202 × 275 mm. Pp. 366. Illustrated. 2005. Thieme Verlagsgruppe: Stuttgart. ¤138·95.The role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease continues to evolve and this book is an excellent, comprehensive review of the application of ultrasound in vascular diagnosis and the recent developments in the field. Extensive information is well presented and the text is clearly written, with high-quality ultrasound images, illustrations, graphs and tables to aid understanding.The first chapter covers basic ultrasound physics, ultrasound technology and contrast imaging. Subsequent chapters cover ultrasonographic imaging of the extracranial cerebral arteries, intracranial cerebral arteries, cerebral veins, peripheral arteries and peripheral veins. In each chapter, the application of both colour flow duplex sonography and continuous-wave Doppler sonography in vascular diagnosis is explained. Each contains information about equipment, examination technique, anatomy, and detailed descriptions of normal and pathological findings. This book also describes with clarity how to evaluate and interpret the results, sources of error, special applications and diagnostic effectiveness, with support by data from research and clinical trials. Recent technical and clinical advances in vascular ultrasound diagnosis are also included. Each chapter is easy to follow and well displayed, with good standardization between chapters and an extensive list of references. The final chapter presents a vast collection of interesting case studies with vascular findings and discussion.In summary, this book is an impressive, up-to-date review of the application of ultrasound in vascular diagnosis. It is an excellent reference for both trainee and experienced ultrasound practitioner and any clinician interested in the role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease.