Radiopraxis, Issue 03, Volume 7, September 2014
M. Hofer – CT Course Book. Didamed Verlag GmbH, Düsseldorf. 8th edition, 2014, 240 pages
Now in its 8th edition, “CT Course Book” offers an excellent introduction to the field of computed tomography. The latest edition also reflects the ongoing innovations in CT technology and diagnostics. New to this edition is an introduction to PET/CT.
The first part of the book covers the most important fundamentals of CT technology, image post-processing, contrast agent administration, and patient preparation. It also includes basic guidelines for image orientation and interpretation. The main section focuses on cross-sectional anatomy. Readers gain insight into the human body through excellent images from state-of-the-art CT scanners, as well as sketches and engaging text. In addition to normal anatomy, the most important normal variations and pathologies are also covered in both text and images. After completing each section on a body region, readers have the opportunity to test their acquired knowledge in a quiz. The chapter on PET/CT covers not only the technical fundamentals but also pathological findings.
The course manual also covers the important topics of radiation protection and angiography (including cardiac imaging). It provides an excellent overview of contrast agent administration—which is crucial for CT—and the proper use of the contrast agent injector. In the section on radiation protection, the manual provides information on radiation dose, cancer risk, and what users can do to protect themselves from radiation. For CT angiography, it suggests scan protocols for key examinations and offers helpful tips.
As a bonus, the book includes tried-and-true checklists—small enough to fit in a lab coat pocket—with important information for everyday clinical practice. Another new feature is a DVD containing quiz videos. Finally, summary tables list examination protocols for various multi-slice CT scanners and dual-source CT scanners, as well as the answers to the quizzes.
Conclusion: Highly recommended for medical technologists, medical students, and anyone looking for a good introduction to CT. Another big plus is the DVD with exciting quiz cases and, of course, the outstanding value for the price!
— André Liebing, Senior Medical Technologist, RODIAG Diagnostic Center, Zurich, Switzerland