e u r o p e a n j o u r n a l o f p a e d i a t r i c n e u r o l o g y 1 8 ( 2 0 1 4 ) 2 4 0

Official Journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society

Book review

Caffey’s Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging, 2-Volume Set, Brian

D. Coley, 12th ed. Saunders (2013). 1784 pp., Hardcover,

£229.95, Kindle £152.29, ISBN: 978-0323081764.

Since 1945, this classic reference text has offered the

world’s most comprehensive coverage of all areas of inter-

est and unparalleled guidance to pediatric radiologists. In

the preface to the first edition, John Caffey stated that his

book stemmed from the roentgen conferences held semi-

monthly at the Babies Hospital during the previous 20

years and that the purpose of the author was two-fold:

description of the shadows cast by normal and morbid tis-

sues, and clinical appraisal of these roentgen findings in

pediatric diagnosis. Therefore, Caffey’s Pediatric Diagnostic

Imaging has been more than an imaging text and it has been

extremely useful not only to radiologists, but also to clini-

cians in all medical and surgical specialties. Historically, the

landmark textbooks like Sir William Osler’s The Principles

and Practice of Medicine, Harrison’s Principles of Internal

Medicine, Nelson’s Textbook of Pediatrics were written by

the most influential leaders in their fields and are still being

published for decades. Caffey’s Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging

has also proven its lasting value and importance over

almost six decades.

The 12th Edition of Caffey’s Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging

was published on July, 2013 and this 12th edition also reflects

the evolution of pediatric radiology as well as pediatric med-

icine. Continuing its tradition of excellence, the completely

revised 12th edition e now more concise yet still complete e

focuses on the core issues one needs to understand, such as

new protocols and sequences, and how to know what tech-

niques are most appropriate for given clinical situations.

There are more explanatory diagrams and illustrations with

better use of color, as well as “Teaching Boxes” that highlight

key points in each chapter. Professor Brian Coley and his team

keep current with the latest pediatric radiological knowledge

and evidence-based practices. This edition adds a significant

online and electronic presentation. Additional images, ani-

mations, and videos are available online to supplement the

print volume and to allow those who prefer electronic media

to take advantage of the material in an alternative way.

This text is a two-volume set with hard cover and volume I

includes topics on radiation effects and safety, head and neck,

neuroradiology, respiratory system and heart and great ves-

sels. Volume II includes topics on gastrointestinal system,

genitourinary system andmusculoskeletal system. The initial

section, “radiation effects and safety,” expresses the author’s

concern for the safety of patients in the broad context of

radiation and contrast effects. The chapters on “magnetic

resonance safety” and “strategies for optimizing radiation

doses for children” are new chapters in this 12th edition. I

would like to highlight the section on Neuroradiology and it

includes topics on cranium and face, mandible, skull and

facial trauma, brain, vertebral column and spinal cord. In the

topic on “brain”, not only chapters from previous editions e

congenital brain malformation, hydrocephalus, inherited

metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders, infection and

inflammation, brain tumors, cerebrovascular disorders and

stroke, and trauma, but also new chapters: Magnetic Reso-

nance Spectroscopy and Positron Emission Tomography,

Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Functional

Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Perfusion Imaging and Magne-

toencephalography, prenatal and neonatal imaging and neu-

roimaging in pediatric epilepsy. All sections are organized by

disease processes with embryology and anatomy, background

clinical information, normal and abnormal findings and

imaging techniques. As expected, all major diseases and

anomalies, both common and rare, are covered in reasonable

depth, with appropriate tables or charts and highlighted

points, which could be considered key “take-home points.”

Therefore, this text will obviously be of great interest not

only to radiologists, also to those who work with children

including all pediatric specialties. It is also extremely useful in

countries with resource poor setting where there is shortage

of well trained radiologists in pediatric specialties.

Kyaw Linn

Yangon Children Hospital, Yangon, Myanmar

E-mail address: linnkyaw.neuro@gmail.com

1090-3798/$ e see front matter

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpn.2014.01.002