Abstract
In addition to the two editors, 13 radiologists have contributed to the content. Seven of the 15 contributors are neuroradiologists. Despite the lack of clinical experts the clinical information accompanying the many very instructive images is good and highly relevant. The two first chapters about epidemiology and evidence-based imaging of brain traumas are especially appreciated. Although the epidemiological information mainly refers to conditions in the USA, it is most probably valid for most European and Asian countries as well. However, a comparison with other parts of the world would have been appreciated.
The chapters dealing with “Abusive Head Trauma (Nonaccidental Head Trauma)” are important. This topic might probably have deserved a separate, larger chapter. In many regions of the world maltreatment of children has little focus.
When dealing with traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (tSAH) in the chapters “Neuroimaging of Traumatic Brain Injury” and “Scull-Base Trauma”, as well as in “Arterial Injury”, traumatic, intracranial, arterial aneurysms are briefly mentioned and no references are given to international literature. Life-threatening traumatic aneurysms might be present when a post-traumatic SAH occurs. Apart from this discrete criticism, the book presents an important contribution to increasing the knowledge of imaging in traumatic brain injury. The illustrations are of high quality and enhance the understanding of the radiological images.
In the interesting chapter of evidence-based imaging, the authors present different consensual criteria justifying CT in minor traumatic brain injury patients. The handling of minor head traumas is to some extent disputed and it is therefore understandable that no recommendation is presented; it remains unclear which criteria are followed in the authors’ own institution, Harborview Medical Centre, University of Washington, Seattle.
The role of MRI in acute traumatic brain injury is presented. The authors state that no relevance, whether routine detection of lesions (axonal shear injury, extra-axial hematomas) by MRI, will result in improved prognosis or long-term neuro-psychological abnormalities. This might be debated and a reference or two to some European colleague that uses MRI in acute TBI would have been appreciated.
The title of the book, Imaging of Traumatic Brain Injury, does not indicate that “Maxillofacial Trauma” and “Traumatic Orbital and Ocular Injury” are dealt with over two chapters. These chapters are extremely well written and relevant cases are extensively presented. It would have been justified to have a title that pointed out these themes as well, not just the brain.
The book is organized well and it is easy to use as a reference work. Following each chapter, a comprehensive reference list is given. This enables the reader to dive further into a special topic of interest.
I recommend that neuroradiologists and radiologists, as well as all other colleagues working with neurological imaging, have this book on their desk. The book is very well suited for younger colleagues and students as well.