NMR IN BIOMEDICINE, VOL. 6,235 (1993)

Book Review

J. D. DE CERTAINES, W. M. M. J. BOVEE and F. P O D 0 (EDS) Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Biology and Medicine. Pergamon Press, Oxford (1992). Hardback (ISBN 0080410189, $170.00, E85.00) and softback (ISBN 00804010170, $70.00, €35.00). This book represents a praiseworthy attempt to describe virtually every aspect of biological and clinical NMR under one cover, and to offer it at a highly competitive price for such a large volume (ca 700 pages). The undertaking has been facilitated by collaborations which have been fostered through an EEC ‘concerted action’ on MRI and MRS methodology. Contributors to the book have been drawn from the many groups in Europe which have co- operated in this project.

The stated aim of the book is to provide a teaching platform to give ‘guidance on experimental and basic aspects of functional and pathological tissue characterisation by MRS’. To this end, there are three major subdivisions: MRS theory and methodology, MRS equipment and experimental MRS. Finally, appendices cover basic electri- cal and mathematical concepts, and provide a glossary of NMR terms in four languages.

It is, perhaps, inevitable in a book with such a wide scope and comprising contributions from over 50 authors, that the quality of individual chapters is vari- able. Most are well written, but some chapters are short and superficial, con- trasting with others which offer a more thorough treatment of the topic in ques-

tion. Perhaps the most important ques- tion is the degree to which the book hangs together and satisfies its pro- fessed objectives. Again, there is con- siderable variance.

By far the best (and indeed the lar- gest) part of the book is the section on applications. This comprises substantial chapters reviewing spectroscopy of a variety of systems which include intact tissues (both in uiuo and in uitro), cells, body fluids and plants. The result is an even-handed and informed collection of reviews which realistically reflect the scope of biological NMR, and comment on the practicalities of the investigation as applied to both human and model systems. The authors are to be particu- larly commended for the balance that is struck between biochemical, physiologi- cal and methodological aspects of these experiments. It is unlikely that anyone involved in MRS, be they beginner or practiced expert, will fail to find some- thing of help and interest in this part of the book.

Sadly, the theory and methodology chapters work less well, even though many of the individual contributions are of a high standard. If a book sets out to educate from first principles, then the overriding consideration must be to develop the important ideas in a sequential and consistent manner. This is difficult to achieve within a multi- author format as is manifest here. Often new concepts and experimental tech- niques appear suddenly without pre- vious explanation, and, given the con- siderable array of acronyms which pervade the field, this will surely lead to

widespread confusion when read by the uninitiated. The organization and ordering of the early chapters are also a little unsatisfactory, with an inappro- priate emphasis being placed on classi- cal chemical NMR which is dealt with before the more relevant techniques of tissue MRS. Despite these criticisms, most of the important concepts and methods are covered, offering a useful source of reference and overview.

Sandwiched between the methods and applications come chapters cover- ing safety, quality assessment, instru- mentation and practical advice for in uiuo studies. These are all important topics, and their inclusion is to be wel- comed. However, it is difficult to give more than a generalized overview in the space available, and the coverage is of necessity only a brief introduction to these aspects of MRS.

Taking an overall view, it is easy to be disappointed by the way in which the basic concepts and experimental tech- niques of MRS are introduced and developed. Such reactions, however, should not be allowed to distract from an appreciation of the number of high quality articles which appear through- out the book. It seems likely that most readers will find something of benefit. In view of its very reasonable price, this book deserves to enjoy a wide reader- ship.

PETER STYLES MRC Biochemical and Clinical

Magnetic Resonance Unit John Radcliffe Hospital

Headington, Oxford, UK

0 1993 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.