Editors: Mark S. Persky, Milton Waner, Francine Blei, and Alejandro Berenstein
Publisher: Thieme – 154 pages
Book Review by: Nano Khilnani
Twenty-three physicians and surgeons have brought together their knowledge, expertise and insight on vascular anomalies – lesions, malformations, and tumors, for example – into this single valuable book to help other specialists identify, classify, compare and contrast these conditions, and help treat the unfortunate afflicted patients.
Four of these professionals – the editors named above – have extensive knowledge and deep experience in their specialty, having spent many years and dedicated large portions of their careers in this area. They have invited others to contribute to the effort of gathering information and writing and compiling it into this volume. All the contributors are from the United States except two of them: one each from France and Japan. These are the subjects covered, as shown on the Contents pages:
- Classification of Vascular Abnormalities
- Congenital Vascular Tumors
- Pathology of Congenital Vascular Lesions
- The Natural History, Physical Findings, and Evaluation of Hemangiomas
- Hemangioma Syndromes
- Radiologic Evaluation of Hemangiomas
- Medical Management of Hemangiomas
- Treatment of Infantile Hemangiomas
- Radiologic Evaluation of Vascular Malformations
- The Role of Endovascular Surgery in the Management of Vascular Lesions of the Head and Neck
- Treatment of Port-Wine Stains
- The Surgical Management of Vascular Malformations
- Evaluation and Treatment of Vascular Neoplasms
- Pathology of Acquired Vascular Neoplasms of the Head and Neck
The editors point out that understanding and proper treatment in the field of vascular abnormalities is a relatively new phenomenon. Prior to 1980, few physicians were interested in studying and treating them, and the terms used to describe them were colloquial. But the decade of the 1980s saw many medical students and practitioners take effort to classify and differentiate these vascular anomalies.
Then, deeper understanding developed, which gave rise to better treatment options. The editors today report much progress: “Now we are beginning to witness some cohesion of classification, nomenclature, and management, with learning being disseminated in curricula and texts of many medical disciplines.”
This book presents the knowledge of specialists in several disciplines, including dermatology, hematology, neuro-interventional radiology, pathology, and radiology.
Pictures speak a thousand words, as is said, so looking at the various vascular anomalies shown throughout the book, and reading the descriptive captions will really enlighten you. The material in the 14 chapters of this book is quite consistently presented. At the end of each chapter you will find a Conclusion and a long list of References.
Mark S. Persky, MD, FACS is Professor of Otolaryngology at New York University School of Medicine in New York, New York.
Milton Waner, MB, BCh (Wits), MD, FCS (SA) is Pediatric Facial Plastic Surgeon; Co-Director, Vascular Birthmarks Institute of New York; and Attending Physician at the Head and Neck Institute in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, New York.
Francine Blei, MD, MBA is Co-Director, Vascular Birthmarks Institute of New York at Lenox Hill / North Shore LIJ Health System in New York, New York.
Alejandro Berenstein, MD is Director, Hyman-Newman Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery; Director, Center for Endovascular Surgery; and Co-Director, Vascular Birthmarks Institute of New York. He is also affiliated with Mount Sinai Health Care System in New York, New York.
