This textbook is the 1st in a series of new British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) manuals, to be followed by similar manuals on Thoracic and Abdominal Imaging. This “packaging” concept is excellent and should have broad appeal, especially if the succeeding manuals are as good as this one. The preface clearly, pragmatically, and logically states the premise for the creation of this book.
The book is written by an impressive group of respected and international authors, and is printed in a decently large format on good quality paper. The images are many, and for the most part, excellent; some chapters are quite profusely illustrated. There is occasionally some “shine through” from the pages’ overleaf, marring the appreciation of some illustrations, a few images are printed too small or otherwise imperfectly, and an occasional image would benefit from some discrete labelling of features. Each chapter emphasizes the value of a pathoanatomical approach to imaging, clearly demonstrating the importance of sound basic knowledge and of careful, comprehensive analysis before proceeding to interpretation and diagnosis. Normal reference images are in very good supply.
Multi-authored textbooks have a tendency for nonuniformity. This book is much less uneven than many, but there is still a degree of variation in depth and completeness. In relative terms, some authors (Chapter 5 — long bone fractures) have rather huge areas to cover while the scope of others (Chapter 7 — shoulder joint and scapula) is more limited. However, as all authors include concise and relevant reviews of anatomy and pathophysiology, this book generally has exceptionally good balance.
The chapters dedicated to long bone fractures (Chapter 5) and teeth (Chapter 14) are unusual features in an imaging manual, and significantly add to the value of this book for students and veterinary practitioners. The incorporation of discussions and illustrations on the use of ultrasonography, CT, MRI, and radionuclide imaging, where relevant, are also positive additions.
Many “special” or ancillary radiographic views, which are not commonly used in practice, are very nicely illustrated in several of the chapters. Considering how often such “extra” views can greatly enhance one’s ability and confidence in making an imaging diagnosis, this is highly laudable. In Chapter 11 (distal limbs), however, I find it odd that the technically challenging “splayed toe” radiograph, for separating the images of individual digits, is recommended while the much simpler technique of making paired LM and ML oblique views of a manus or pes is not even mentioned.
There are some other omissions which I find puzzling, and I hope that a few years hence a 2nd edition will be published. Among these is the relative lack of CT images in the chapter on elbows (Chapter 8), especially for the diagnosis of fragmented coronoid process. Another omission is the absence, in the chapter on intervertebral disc disease (Chapter 17), of a discussion of the use of CT to supplement myelography, especially for those inevitable less-than-perfect myelograms, to aid in determining the laterality of a disc prolapse. These are 2 techniques which tend to be “work horses” in many North American practices that use CT.
These are minor criticisms, and I recommend this book very highly. I feel that it is an innovative and very well-executed addition to the literature, which should find great favor with veterinary practitioners.
As well, this book is definitely being added to the list of recommended texts that I provide to my veterinary students.