AL Baert (Ed.), Springer, 2008
This recently published Encyclopedia of Diagnostic Imaging is an impressive and comprehensive reference work that comes both in the traditional print form (two volumes, almost 2000 pages combined) and online. This review discusses the print edition.
This is not a traditional textbook on radiology, but one that attempts to cover all the major aspects of diagnostic imaging by providing roughly 4000 entries in alphabetical order. It targets general radiologists as well as residents, radiographers and even laypersons interested in medical imaging. As one browses through the volumes, the state-of-art character that was aimed for becomes quickly evident. I found extensive coverage of many topics and had to stop browsing to either start reading selected articles or at least appreciate the wide selection of excellent images that are presented, ranging from conventional x-ray studies and angiography to CT and MRI, including nuclear medicine scans and ultrasound as well. The quality of the images and their careful selection are definite strengths of the work. Although the title and the preface suggest that interventional procedures are not covered, this is not true, and excursions on interventional treatment options are found in many entries, for example regarding the interventional treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and aneurysms.