Imaging of the Temporal Bone, 4th ed.

doi:10.3174/ajnr.A1524

J.D. Swartz and L.A. Loevner, eds. Thieme Medical Publishers; 2009, 616 pages, 1506 illustrations, $169.95.

In his fourth edition of Temporal Bone Imaging, Joel Swartz, now with Laurie Loevner as coeditor, has added considerably to the prior edition published in 1998. Along with 18 other contributors, Swartz and Loevner have expanded the text by nearly 100 pages over the older version and, in doing so, have been able to incorporate more images and increasingly important details in the text. Although at first glance the 2 tables of contents (1998 versus 2009) would seem outwardly to differ little, an examination of the material shows that the additional information has been significant. In part, this is due to the fivefold increase in the number of contributors but also reflects the anatomic details now possible with multidector CT and high-resolution MR imaging.

In the opening chapter (called “Introduction” in 1998 and “Temporal Bone Imaging Techniques” in 2009), we now see greater emphasis on technical details, explanations for radiation dose reduction, and MR imaging techniques. Retained but now under the heading of “Referrals and Imaging Strategies” are various clinical presentations, including acute/chronic otitis media, cochlear implantation, hearing loss tinnitus, vertigo, external auditory canal stenosis, facial nerve disorders, masses, and otalgia.

With each, there is an imaging protocol, principles for interpretation, and a suggested structured report. The latter is particularly important because it sets the authors’ guidelines for what should be present in a succinct informative report. Take the example of a suggested report for cochlear implantation. The authors outlined their approach to the images (from superficial to deep, just the way the ear, nose, and throat surgeon would walk through the anatomy), pointing out all the landmarks that should be mentioned in a report. This is such a help because the authors indicate exactly why each landmark is critical for the surgeon. This feature is repeated in each clinical condition and adds great value to the book. As with the other clinical scenarios, a standarized report is included.

A major upgrade of this new edition is found in the chapter “Inner Ear and Otodystrophies”—not only is the chapter nearly 40 pages longer but it contains new material, particularly in terms of high-resolution MR imaging. As another example, the authors have subdivided the section under the heading of “Acquired Disorders of the Labyrinth” into segments, making reading this section more efficient and understandable. These 2 chapters, chapters 1 and 5, are featured in this review simply because they exemplify the ways in which other chapters also have been improved in this fourth edition.

Readers will be also pleased to note the expansion of the color plates from 2 to 6 pages. This reviewer does suggest that in future editions, the authors of each chapter outline their contents on the first page of each chapter.

Because it is virtually impossible to include all the important information concerning the many subjects in neuroradiology in 1 general textbook, publications like this one by Schwartz and Loevner are crucial. Such books allow an in-depth evaluation of a single area—here the temporal bone. This book is highly recommended and should find its way onto the library shelf of every neuroradiology section. For those who interpret many temporal bone studies, a personal copy is warranted.