'Understanding X-Rays' is a book planned to fill the gap between basic and advanced knowledge of Radiology.It meets the moment when a - diologist is not available,and a diagnosis is required. Each section is introduced by a chapter on 'how to 'understand'X-rays', encouraging a complete and systematic approach to radiographs focusing on every part of the image.A three-point approach is presented,consi- ing of the 'quick look',a systematic detailed scrutiny of the images,and - nally a brief look at 'review areas'. Most difficulties in interpreting radiographs do not arise from iden- fying the clearly normal or abnormal,but the huge grey expanse between. Therefore,normal variants that may masquerade as disease are discussed in detail.Likewise,common appearances,often incidental and unimp- tant,are covered thoroughly,as these appearances can readily be misint- preted as being due to significant disease. The chapters on disease entities follow a logical sequence of conge- tal, traumatic, infective, neoplastic and miscellaneous conditions. Po- traumatic sequelae are discussed in much greater detail in each section. To limit the handbook to a pocket-sized format,certain aspects of Radi- ogy receive scant attention and some are excluded altogether.(The foll- ing are not included: physics,instrumentation,machine construction,- teriography,and ultrasound imaging of obstetrics, the eye and vascular structures.Aspects such as congenital heart disease,bone dysplasias,bone tumours and barium meal examinations are not discussed at any length).
