Book Reviews
CT Teaching Manual: A Systematic Approach to CT Reading, 4th ed. By Mattias Hofer. New York, NY: Thieme Medical, 224
pp., 2011. $69.95 softcover (ISBN: 978-3131243546)
Downloaded from www.ajronline.org by 202.80.214.135 on 01/15/20 from IP address 202.80.214.135. Copyright ARRS. For personal use only; all rights reserved
T
he author of CT Teaching Manu-
al: A Systematic Approach to CT
Reading states that the primary
goal for this fourth edition is “to
introduce you quickly and efficiently to the
interpretation of CT scans.” The preface also
states, “The emphasis is on the normal ana-
tomic orientation.” This book does an excel-
lent job achieving these expectations.
The structure of this book is unique and
effective. The contents are divided into tech-
nical and patient aspects of CT, including
patient preparation and contrast media dis-
cussion followed by anatomic sections from
head to toe with appropriate pathologic cor-
relation. At the end of each section is a brief
test related to the anatomy and pathology of
the region. The book closes with sections
discussing radiation safety, CT angiography,
contrast material injectors, multiplanar re-
construction (MPR) anatomy, and CT proto-
cols. The sections are clearly labeled at the
top of each page and via colored tabs along
the right edge to allow quick access.
AJR 2012; 198:W396 0361–803X/12/1984–W396 © American Roentgen Ray Society
W396 AJR:198, April 2012
The CT images are of high quality, especial-
ly the images in the advanced sections related to
angiography and MPR. Every CT image has a
companion gray-scale drawing of the anatomy
with numbering of the pertinent structures. Both
the front and back covers fold out and contain
keys to the numbered structures. Literature ref-
erences are provided on the back cover. Finally,
a quick reference card is included, containing
checklists for patient preparation and image in-
terpretation as well as contrast premedication
and reaction management protocols.
The CT anatomy is clearly displayed
throughout the book, primarily using trans-
verse images with additional high-resolution,
direct coronal, or MPR images as appropriate.
Dedicated specialty examinations are includ-
ed, such as temporal bone or high-resolution
chest CT. The companion gray-scale draw-
ings accentuate anatomy and pathology, mak-
ing the more subtle findings easier to identify.
The supporting text occupies less than 25%
of each page, providing appropriate commen-
tary for the images. The pathology cases gener-
ally show typical conditions with brief discus-
sions about the findings and disease processes.
The test cases and questions at the end of each
section provide challenging unknowns and are
an excellent opportunity for anatomy review.
No anatomy labeling errors were encoun-
tered. One minor note is that occasional ty-
pographic errors, generally related to trans-
lation from German, mar the otherwise clear
prose. All of the provided protocols are for
Siemens Healthcare scanners, with vendor-
specific terminology that will limit easy
translation to other vendors’ CT scanners.
This fourth edition of CT Teaching Manual:
A Systematic Approach to CT Reading is high-
ly recommended for CT technologists; radiol-
ogy residents; and anyone who wants to build
an excellent foundation of CT anatomy, routine
pathology, and an approach to interpretation.
Joseph Accurso
Mayo Clinic Health System,
Austin, MN
DOI:10.2214/AJR.11.8020
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