Authors: Heinrich Iro, Alessandro Bozzato, and Johannes Zenk
Publisher: Thieme – 230 pages
Book Review by: Nano Khilnani

At the outset of this book, we are made to understand that the sound wave is purely a mechanical wave, and reflections of transmitted ultrasound waves from features deep inside tissues form the basis of diagnosis through ultrasound. This book outlines the principles of ultrasound and its application in the diagnosis and treatment of clinical conditions of the head and neck.

For some indications, imaging through ultrasound yields superior results than two other imaging techniques: computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). As a matter of fact the image quality through ultrasound yields sub-millimeter resolution (as you will see among the 523 images used in this book), the authors of this volume point out.

Drs. Iro, Bozzato, and Zenk write that based on more than 3,500 examinations performed every year at their departments in their clinic in Germany, they consider ultrasound to be an indispensable component in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the head and neck. This is due to the noninvasive and high informational value of the ultrasound technique.

You can find videos demonstrating ultrasound anatomy and pathologies in Atlas of Head and Neck Ultrasound online at: www.MediaCenter.Thieme.com. On pages xii and xiii, you will find a list of 125 videos that you can view on the above-mentioned website. You will need an access code during your registration process on the above site. You can obtain that code by scratching off the grey area on the first page of this book.

What will you find in this book? An outline of the topics covered in it is provided for your guidance below, with three Parts and 14 chapters:

  1. General Considerations
    1. Basic Principles of Ultrasound
    2. Physical Principles of Doppler and Color Doppler Ultrasound
    3. Practical Tips on Ultrasound Examination Technique
    4. Documentation and Terminology
  2. Sonographic Anatomy and Physiology
    1. Thyroid Gland
    2. Nick Lymph Nodes
    3. Extracranial Nerves
    4. Floor of the Mouth and Oropharynx
    5. Salivary Glands
    6. Facial Soft Tissues
    7. Paranasal Sinuses and Midface
    8. Larynx and Hypopharynx
    9. Extracranial Vessels
  3. Advanced Ultrasound Methods and Outlook
    1. Image Processing Methods

 

What are some of the benefits of using this book? There are several, chief among them being:

  • The atlas style and systematically structured content allows you to quickly locate imaging findings and access required information
  • Coverage of not only the main ultrasound techniques findings in the head and neck area, but also approaches to more complex clinical issues, including complicated interdisciplinary topics such as the thyroid gland and blood vessels
  • Diagnosis limitations of ultrasound, pitfalls, tips and tricks highlighted throughout the text to help beginners recognize the essential aspects of the findings and assist experienced users in complicated situations.
  • Extensive selection of video clips, illustrating the advantages of ultrasound as a dynamic procedure, available online.

This is an excellent print and online reference source for head and neck surgeons, ear and nose specialists, internists, maxillofacial surgeons, radiologists, and other medical professionals.

Authors:
Heinrich Iro, MD is Professor and Medical Director of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the Friedrich-Alexander University Hospital Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany.

Alessando Bozzato, MD is Attending Physician in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the Friedrich-Alexander University Hospital Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany.

Johannes Zenk, MD is Professor and Deputy Medical Director of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the Friedrich-Alexander University Hospital Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany.

Contributors:
Dipl. Ing. Gert Herzel
Siemens AG Healthcare
Siemens, Germany

Werner Lang, MD
Department of Vascular Surgery
Friedrich-Alexander University Hospital Erlanger-Nuremberg
Germany

Deike Strobel, MD
Professor, Attending Physician
Department of Internal Medicine
Friedrich-Alexander University Hospital Erlanger-Nuremberg
Germany