Book Review
Physics of Radiology, 2nd ed. By Anthony Brinton Wolbarst. Madison, WI: Medical Physics Publishing,
647 pp., 2005. $110
s ambitious as the first edition was
A at 461 pages, this new work in-
cludes nearly 200 more. In addition,
Dr. Wolbarst has drafted the assis-
tance of 21 additional coauthors to provide ex-
panded expertise in certain areas: modalities,
display physics, radiation safety, imaging uses
outside radiology, PACS, the behavior of the hu-
man visual system, and the role of the imaging
medical physicist in a department. Input from
coauthors is scattered throughout the book,
sometimes as an appendix to a chapter and
American Journal of Roentgenology 2006.186:E4-E4.
sometimes as an independent chapter.
Contrary to the author’s stated audience—
radiology residents studying for their board
examinations—the work has material consid-
erably broader and deeper than what would be
required of that mission alone. In fact, the
book could well serve as a text for a two-term
bioengineering course if it was studied cover
to cover. By judicious selection, it could also
be abstracted to form the basis of a single-
term board course or as an overview for a less
technically inclined audience.
If you would like to review books for AJR, please send a cover letter stating your interest with a current curriculum vitae to Book Reviews, AJR, 500 22nd St. S, Ste. 504A,Birmingham, AL 35233.
E4
Part 1 opens with a three-chapter survey of
the modalities in a department and ends with
an appendix on the role of a medical physi-
cist. Part 2, titled “Scientific and Technical
Basis,” consists of 14 chapters that cover ki-
nematics, electromagnetism, nuclear physics,
condensed matter physics, electronics, detec-
tors, human perception, physical metrics of
image quality, computers, PACS, and a
grounding in the mathematics of the preced-
ing topics (periodic functions, logs, calculus,
probability, and statistics). Throughout this
section, the author not only describes the dry
facts of the study, but also includes interesting
historical background (such as the family his-
tory of the Becquerels and the romantic habits
of Nicola Tesla). Parts 3 and beyond cover
single-topic collections of chapters, including
analog radiographic and fluoroscopic meth-
ods and digital imaging methods (computed
radiography, digital radiography, CT, MRI,
sonography, nuclear medicine, PET, and
emerging methods). The final section con-
cludes on radiation safety. The work ends
with a “Solutions to Exercises” section, more
than 200 references, and an index of over
2,000 entries.
The second edition of Physics of Radiology
is an excellent reference for either the techni-
cal student who desires information on mo-
dalities outside of their specialty or the
radiology resident needing a physics review
for their board examinations. Wolbarst has a
conversational style that makes reading the
book a pleasure rather than a chore. Further-
more, he paints a portrait of the history and
personalities involved in the science, an alto-
gether too rare perspective, and the additional
contributions from the coauthors appear as a
natural extension of the text rather than a
forced addition. An earlier reviewer (Peter
Wooten) wrote the following about the first
edition of Physics of Radiology: “The book is
a pleasure to read. I stand in awe.” That as-
sessment is still accurate.
Steve G. Langer
Mayo Clinic Radiology
Rochester, MN
AJR:186, April 2006