Biliary Tract Radiology

Book excerpt: This book, edited by Prof. PLINIO ROSSI, an internationally well-known expert in biliary tract radiology, provides in 31 chapters a very comprehensive update on both diagnostic and therapeutic radiology of the biliary tract. First, a very complete and interesting overview of the normal morphology of the ana tomical area is presented by an anatomist, a radiologist, and a surgeon. This is followed by a discussion not only of the well-known and accepted imaging modalities, but also of the newer ones such as, magnetic resonance imaging and endoluminal and laparoscopic ultra sound. The book thus illustrates very nicely the diversity of diagnostic radiological tech niques that are currently available. Considerable technical progress and remarkable new insights in biliary tract radiology have been achieved in the field of the radiological interventional approach during recent years. Therefore, much emphasis has been placed in this book on the therapeutic possibili ties of the radiologist using the percutaneous minimally invasive approach for the treat ment of the various pathological conditions of the biliary tract. It is most impressive to note the substantial progress in terms of patient comfort achieved by using the percutaneous as compared to the surgical methods. These new methods also result in shorter hospitalization times and thereby help to reduce health care costs. This book provides the interested reader with a fascinating and very complete over view of these new procedures.