Blackwell Publishing Ltd., United States of America, 2010
Kolasi
:
148 p.: tab. ; fig. ; bibl. ; ind.
Digital Copy
:
5
Pinjaman Aktif
:
0
Synopsis
:
Some four decades ago, as a recently qualifi ed doctor, I managed
victims of trauma without the benefi t of trauma systems, without
well tried management protocols and without today ’ s imaging
technology. Digital imaging did not exist and “ urgent ” X - ray fi lms
were often still wet from the chemical processor, making interpre-
tation less than optimal. Computed tomography and magnetic
resonance imaging were still prototypes or on the physicist ’ s
drawing board and ultrasound scanning was in its infancy. Digital,
whole - body scanners, such as the Lodox Statscanner, were some-
thing approaching science fi ction. In the intervening period
between then and now, trauma care, like many other aspects of
medicine, has progressed immeasurably, as has the part played by
imaging technology and techniques.
It is incumbent on all who provide emergency, in - hospital
trauma care to be aware of the current range of diagnostic and
therapeutic techniques that radiology and radiologists bring to the
management of trauma. This short, but comprehensive book, the
ABC of Imaging in Trauma, will do exactly that.
After reading this book, medical personnel will have an under-
standing of current imaging concepts and their clinical relevance,
a point well made by the book ’ s editors in their introductory
chapter. They also go on to point out that the fundamental goals
of imaging are assisting staff in quickly identifying the range and
severity of injuries and, where possible, intervening to arrest life -
threatening haemorrhage. They also endorse the point: imaging
techniques are there to complement clinical skills and acumen, not
to replace them.
The fundamental aim of this book is to act as a practical guide
on the scope and interpretation of emergency imaging procedures
used in assessing the severely injured. It more than achieves this
in a host of ways, the more outstanding being: the key points
summary boxes at the beginning of each chapter; discussion of
relevant clinical and demographic information before going on to
discuss imaging techniques; and the richness and quality of the
illustrations and line diagrams. These factors also add to the ease
of fi nding relevant information.
It is of some import that the last four chapters of this book cover
paediatric trauma, imaging trauma in pregnancy, ballistics and
blast injury and imaging of major incidents and mass casualty situ-
ations. Managing trauma in children and pregnant women can be
particularly trying. This book provides a systematic review and
excellent short guide to imaging techniques in both situations.
Major incidents are now almost commonplace. Knowledge of the
role of imaging in casualty triage in such incidents, is one key to
saving lives. This book provides that knowledge.
Those who become victims of severe trauma, whether civilian or
military, will have the best outcome if cared for by experienced,
multidisciplinary teams working to well - tried protocols. One of
these protocols is what this excellent book is about: a guide to the
place of the many forms of imaging available in trauma manage-
ment algorithms.
All who are interested in, or have a role in hospital - based trauma
care, should read this book. It will make them better carers.
My own anticipation is that the next edition will be even
better.
