Couture A, Baud C, Ferran JL, Saguintaah M, Veyrac C (Eds) Gastrointestinal tract sonography in fetuses and children (2008)

Springer Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 632 pp, 1,928 figs, 73 tabs, Hardcover, EUR 239.00, CHF 416.50, USD 319.00, GBP 184.00, ISBN 978–3–540–43852–6

This remarkable new book from the series Medical Radiology-Diagnostic Imaging deals with the enormous imaging potential of sonography of the gastrointestinal tract in fetuses, newborns, infants and children. The book is written by a group of outstanding pediatric radiologists from Montpelier and assists the reader in optimizing the technique of ultrasound in order to increase the diagnostic accurracy and improve medical treatment in children. The book is unique as it covers all important topics of the gastrointestinal tract and the diagnostic use of ultrasound. Also the comparative use of MR imaging and other imaging technologies is clearly addressed.

All chapters are clearly structured, including examination technique, diagnostic findings, differential diagnostic interpretations, topographical information and the basic requirements for interpretation. Excellent imaging material provides the reader with the possibility to clearly understand the underlying problems.

Although several authors have contributed to the book, there is nearly no overlap. An introductory chapter of fetal gastrointestinal MRI and ultrasound provides a comparative use of ultrasound and MRI. The following chapters focus on bowel obstructions, small bowel wall thickening, colitis, appendicitis, intussusception, abdominal wall and umbilical abnormalities, intraperitoneal tumors and GI trauma. All chapters deal with the sonographic morphologies in detail, and the text is supported by high-quality illustrations. The book concludes with a quiz on 15 different case reports in which the readers can test their knowledge.

In summary, the book can be recommended to all general and pedicatric radiologists involved in ultrasound with a special focus on the evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract. It is an excellent tool for day-to-day use.

Thomas Vogl, Frankfurt/Main, Germany