Medical Microbiology

THIS manageable volume draws together the current information on double-contrast G.I. radiology in a very readable form. It describes and comments on the techniques necessary (and the re-orientation of the examiner) and provides beautiful and profuse illustrations of what can be achieved. Its description and illustration of normal and abnormal variants is particularly useful for those trying out the technique "de novo". There are chapters by American, Japanese and European authors, all of high repute, on each section of the G.I. tract, with separate chapters on tumours of the oesophagus, early gastric cancer, the postoperative stomach, tumours of the colon, polyposis syndromes, diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and finally the rectum. Each chapter has a bibliography which is representative, and as up-todate as can be expected-1978 publications are quoted. A chapter on endoscopic correlation contains 94 side-by-side arrowed illustrations of the photographs and radiographs of various lesions, again beautifully reproduced. Dr. Laufer states his purpose in writing this book is to provide radiologists with the information they need to perform and interpret double contrast examinations of the gastrointestinal tract, with the emphasis on the detection of the lesion, and illustrations of the more everyday pathology with its numerous variations. This he has done excellently and comprehensively. This book should be mandatory reading for every radiologist who has to do G.I. examinations. A.D.G.