Radiology

Book Review
Radiology of Skeletal Trauma, 3rd ed.
Edited by Lee F. Rogers, MD
Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone/Harcourt Health Sciences, 2001. ISBN 0-443-06563-2. Hardcover, 299.00;
pp 1,344; 2,844 illustrations.
Radiology of Skeletal Trauma, 3rd edition, is the latest
edition of Lee F. Rogerss popular textbook. The intended audience of this text includes any health care
provider who has an interest in the radiologic manifestations of skeletal trauma. Rogers is a highly experienced musculoskeletal radiologist, with credentials that
include numerous peer-reviewed publications. He is
professor emeritus in the Department of Radiology at
Wake Forest University and the former editor of the
American Journal of Roentgenography. Prior editions of
Radiology of Skeletal Trauma have been widely used as
standard reference textbooks. This new edition has an
added emphasis on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging
and computed tomography (CT) and includes new contributions from expert radiologists. A total of 29 authors
contribute to the current edition.
The text is organized into two volumes. Volume 1
begins with chapters that review the general concepts
that are pertinent to the radiology of skeletal trauma,
such as anatomy, biomechanics, terminology, and clinical management. One chapter that is particularly useful addresses the special considerations of imaging patients with multiple injuries. Subsequent chapters are
organized according to regional anatomy (eg, skull,
face, knee, and wrist).
The text is well organized and has an excellent appendix. The information is generally easy to find. Because many authors contributed to the text, the writing
style varies somewhat between chapters, but all are well

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written and well organized. The ample illustrations are

generally of excellent quality, and they support the text
nicely. Most chapters emphasize radiography (as any
textbook of skeletal trauma must). Many, but not all, of
the chapters in this new edition include a thorough
discussion and illustration of the role of CT and MR
imaging in skeletal trauma. Ultrasonography is not emphasized. Imaging of ligament and tendon injuries is
generally emphasized less than imaging of fractures.
Radiology of Skeletal Trauma, 3rd edition, continues
the tradition established by the prior editions as one of
the premier textbooks of the radiology of skeletal
trauma. The new edition provides a useful balance of
practical information that is pertinent to radiologic diagnosis, and it provides a readable discussion of the
deeper, more theoretic concepts of skeletal imaging.
When information is quickly needed while at the viewbox or picture archiving and communications systems
monitor, the information can be found within this
book easily and rapidly. The book also is successful as a
textbook that can be read in quieter moments by radiology residents and by others who are interested in
acquiring a deeper understanding of the radiology of
skeletal trauma. In summary, I enthusiastically recommend Radiology of Skeletal Trauma to residents, practicing radiologists, and any clinician who is interested in
this important field.
Reviewed by David May, MD