| BOOK REVIEWS |
ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE PRENATAL AND NEONATAL BRAIN
Editors: I E Timor-Tritsch, A Monteagudo and H L Cohen Publisher: Appleton & Lange, Four Stamford Plaza, PO Box 120041, Stamford, Connecticut, USA ISBN: 0-8385-9074-8 Hardback, 418 pages, 1996 Price: £98.95/$155.95 This is a multi-author book edited by E Timor-Tritsch, A. Monteagudo and H Cohen, who in co-operation with 23 authors, all established in their respective fields, have written a first class book on the ultrasonography of the fetal and neonatal brain. Many of the ultrasound figures are clarified by schematic drawings.
The book begins with a chapter on the prenatal development of the brain. The second chapter deals with the normal neurosonography of the prenatal brain, emphasising how important it is for the untrasonographers to realise which planes they use during scanning and what are the differences between vaginal and abdominal scanning. This is a very well-written chapter giving important basic knowledge. It consists of 77 pages and includes 86 figures, some of which are colour Doppler recordings. Together with the third chapter - "biometry of the fetal brain" - in which there are 39 tables of normal measurements during development - these three chapters complete the description of the development of the normal brain.
In chapter four, "fetal neurosonography of congenital brain anomalies", many of the anomalies which arise are described. The ultrasound pictures are of good quality and the scanning planes well indicated. In the majority of cases, the anomaly is also shown after birth by including MRI scan results.
The neurosonography of the infant is described in the next chapter, again well illustrated. Chapters 6 & 7 deal with midline anomalies of the brain and neurosonography of abnormalities in the infant. In the neonate, haemorrhages and ischemic abnormalities have been emphasised.
The ultrasonography of the neonatal spine, emphasising the role of sonography in imaging the spine, is a short but accurate chapter.
Many abnormalities of the brain occur in combination with facial abnormalities, therefore, chapter 9 is dedicated to ultrasonography of the fetal face. Chapter 10, "the fetal eye", forms the link between anatomy and output of the prenatal brain, which is further explored in chapter 11, "neurobehavioural development of the fetal brain".
Obviously, magnetic resonance imaging of the fetal brain is becoming increasingly important and in chapter 12, again beautifully illustrated, the areas where MRI can lead to additional information are indicated.
F Chervenak and L McCullough have written a very clear chapter on ethical considerations, with a useful figure on management strategies for resolution of conflicts in the intrapartum management of hydrocephalus with macrocephaly.
In the last chapter, not only the fetal and neonatal cerebral circulation is discussed, but also the influence of many physiological variables on the Doppler criteria in the most important parts of the brain.
The last 16 pages of the book consist of an extensive index.
This is a beautiful book which is of a great importance for all those who work in the field of fetal and neonatal development: obstetricians, neonatologists, neurologists and ultrasonographers. Most centres of prenatal diagnosis see several brain abnormalities per year and it is very helpful to have a book in which most anomalies are extensively discussed.
Jan G Nijhuis, MD, PhD, is Associate Professor of Perinatology at the University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
OBSTETRICS BY TEN TEACHERS
GYNAECOLOGY BY TEN TEACHERS
(Sixteenth edition)
Edited by: Geoffrey VP Chamberlain Published by: Edward Arnold These books continue to be as popular now as when first published in 1917 and 1919 under their original titles, Midwifery by Ten Teachers and Diseases of Women by Ten Teachers. Written 'for students preparing for their final examination and for others who have passed beyond the stage of examinations,' the books reflected the collective opinions of the ten authors and still today there are ten main contributors with special contributions from a further five authors.
The books cover the entire subjects of obstetrics and gynaecology and present well balanced up to date opinions with diagrams to clarify the text and potted medical history to entertain.
I have no hesitation in recommending both of these books as essential reading for students and junior doctors. My only misfortune was that it is only now that I have been introduced to them.
Caroline Overton MD, MRCOG
DRUG THERAPY IN REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY
Edited by: Jean Ginsberg Published by: Edward Arnold The book begins with a chapter on the pharmacological principles of drug action which provides a basis for the action of drugs including pharmacokinetics, absorption, distribution and basic principles of prescribing in pregnancy lactation and prescribing for the elderly. Written by recognised authorities in the field, the book covers problems encountered throughout reproductive life from puberty through to the menopause. Management of reproductive problems includes menstrual disturbances, hirsutism, infertility (male and female), endometriosis, hyperprolactinaemia, hormonal contraception and reproductive malignancies (including breast and prostate) and osteoporosis.
The book provides comprehensive advice on the speciality of reproductive endocrinology, how to investigate and treat the problems posed by reproductive endocrine dysfunction. It is written for specialists in hospital and for general practitioners.
Caroline Overton MD MRCOG
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