Embryo & Fetal Pathology: Color Atlas With Ultrasound Correlation

Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Feb 2005 by Sienko, Anna E

Embryo & Fetal Pathology: Color Atlas With Ultrasound Correlation

By Enid Gilbert-Barness and Diane Debich-Spicer, 711 pp, with illus, Cambridge, United Kingdom, Cambridge University Press, 2004.

This is a gem of a book. The title of the book does not do justice to the contents, because this is more than just an atlas. The wealth of information in this textbook is substantial. Embryology is covered, as well as fetal autopsy, genetics, and a wide spectrum of fetal abnormalities. The chapters are arranged in a logical "developmental" fashion from early to late embryonic abnormalities to placental pathology to chromosomal abnormalities. The chapter on terminology of errors of morphogenesis is excellent. The latter part of the book concentrates on malformation syndromes, dysplasias, and pathology of given organ systems, including the skin, and ends with chapters on intrauterine death, multiple and conjoined twins, and metabolic diseases.

Each chapter is well written and concise. The chapters are richly illustrated with tables, charts, diagrams, and color photographs. The gross pictures are of high quality and good examples of the given entity or abnormality discussed. The appendices contain many useful charts and tables of embryonic and fetal development, which is often difficult to find all in one textbook. The ultrasound chapter is divided into parts from general concepts to organ system malformations, with a section devoted to current advances in ultrasound. This section is also well written in understandable language with good illustrations.

This textbook is the best I have seen on the topic of embryonic and fetal pathology. As an atlas, it far surpasses expectations. As a reference book and bench book, it should be on the bookshelf of everyone who has an interest in this area. I highly recommend this book to my surgical and pediatric pathology colleagues, neonatologists, and obstetricians. As much as one can enjoy a pathology textbook, I enjoyed this book very much and found it a pleasure to read.

ANNA E. SIENKO, MD

Houston, Tex