BJSM Book Review:  MRI-Essentials.com

An Illustrated Atlas of Orthopedic MRI

Fischer, Guermazi, Roemer, Carrino, Crema, Grainger, Kijowski, Steinbach

This new sports imaging atlas provides the BJSM community with a wonderful atlas of images (there are 3283 MR case illustrations) and clinically relevant text. Image-based learning is certainly the trend in Radiology, and the authors are to be commended for compiling so many sports medicine images of generally outstanding quality in this volume.

The book is well-organized by anatomic location, including spine which is unusual in sports imaging textbooks,  preceded by introductory chapters on examination technique (includes the most appropriate MR sequences for structural assessment of joints), and the most common bone, cartilage, tumor and muscle pathologies.  Diagnostic pitfalls are marked with exclamation marks, and differential diagnoses are highlighted, although the latter could be used more extensively.  Normal anatomy is illustrated at the beginning of each chapter, although the level of detail would not obviate the need for an anatomic atlas.  The numerous color line drawings are superb, and add further clarity to the text.

Using the shoulder as an example, this 637 page volume covers not only the more common clinical scenarios in sports medicine (eg rotator cuff tears), but also the more recent and controversial topics (eg microinstability/glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit or GIRD).  One of the discriminatory features of this image-rich text  is its evidence-based approach, as following each chapter there is a moderately comprehensive but not exhaustive list of references.

MRI-Essentials.com is overall a superb addition to the sports imaging literature, and strikes the right balance between text, drawings, images, and reference material.  This book with be much-used companion for radiologists, sports medicine physicians, orthopedic surgeons, physiotherapists, and indeed any practitioner who uses imaging in managing patients. BJSM has a clear commitment to imaging research (1,2) and education and this book will be a valuable addition to many BJSM readers’ reference libraries.

1. Orchard J. What role for MRI in hamstring strains? An argument for a difference between recreational and professional athletes. Br J Sports Med. 2014 Sep;48(18):1337-8.
2. Forster BB. The game has changed… but it still needs to be played: the role of imaging tests using ionising radiation in the practice of sports medicine. Br J Sports Med. 2014 Apr;48(8):679.