This single-volume book has been authored by 48 experts, most of whom are from E urope, with a few from

the United States and Canada. The editors of the Medical Radiology Diagnostic Imaging series are A. L. Baert and K. Sartor. The text is div ided into 28 chapters. The intended audience includes gastrointestinal-abdominal radiologists, abdominal surgeons, and gastroenterologists. I am positive that t hey will welcome the plethora of data, as the whole spectrum of imaging modaliti es from conventional to cutting edge is covered, along with endoscopy and pathologic correlations. Although the editor claims in the preface that he has not attempt ed to be comprehensive, I think that the scope of the book is quite broad, with an emphasis on colorectal cancer, the most important disease of the large intest ine. The topics addressed in this book are elaborated on in a multifaceted, mult idisciplinary way and deal not only with imaging but also with clinical aspects and pathologic conditions. The text is very well organized and presents a broad multidisciplinary approach that is seminal in diagnosing and treating colorectal diseases. The book is easy to read and reference. There is some inevitable repetitiveness when different d iagnostic techniques are used to describe and discuss the same pathologic entiti es. There is in-depth description of screening for colorectal carcinoma both epi demiologically and with the use of modern genetic methods. The book addresses th e morbidity and cost-effectiveness of various screening methods. Particular emph asis is given to polyps and cancer. There are chapters on virtual colonography, magnetic resonance colonography, endorectal ultrasonography, staging and followup of colorectal carcinoma, and positron emission tomography. Appendicitis and c hronic inflammatory bowel diseases are depicted in separate chapters along with scintigraphy, angiography, and endoscopy. There are a few controversial quotes, such as most carcinoid tumors in the large bowel are located in the rectum and si gmoid, and lymphoid polyps are invariably located in the rectum. Both black-and-white and color illustrations are of superb quality and demonstra te the pertinent findings well. The captions are succinct and describe the relev ant findings. Radiology and Imaging of the Colon is an excellent review of methods of diagnosi ng the diseases of the large bowel. I recommend this book to everyone who has an interest in diagnostic methods and the treatment of colorectal diseases. The bo ok will be a welcome addition to any radiology, gastroenterology, or abdominal s urgery library.