Clark's positioning in radiography (twelfth edition)

  • A. S. Whitley,
  • C. Sloane,
  • G. Hoadley,
  • A. D. Moore &
  • C. W. Alsop
UK: Hodder Arnold price £75.00, pp 517 ISBN 0340763906 | ISBN: 0-340-76390-6

For 66 years students of radiography and radiology have relied on 'Kitty Clark' as the source book for advice and scholarship on radiographic positioning. The new edition represents a further step forward with hundreds of new positioning photographs, brand new explanatory line diagrams, and a clearly defined and easy-to-follow structure. There are new sections on digital imaging and PACS. The basic principles of radiography and digital imaging are covered in the first chapter.

Specialists in dental imaging wrote chapter 10, which deals concisely with dental radiography in 50 pages. Following a general overview of dental radiography there is specific instruction on bitewing, periapical, and occlusal radiography, sections on lateral oblique projections, panoramic tomography and cephalometry. Each of these is clear, consistent and well illustrated with radiographs, diagrams, anatomical images and photographs showing ideal positioning. Many sections also contain examples of poor positioning, detailing what to look for and how positioning may be improved.

A small section in chapter 16 deals with forensic imaging in dentistry.

The rest of the body is covered in 13 chapters — each of similar high quality. The section on skull radiography is particularly welcome, as too many radiographers and radiologists have given up on plain film imaging in favour of CT.

This book is for those seeking either an introduction and/or a reference manual on radiographic positioning. It can be strongly recommended. Those with a specific focused interest in dental radiography may well move fairly rapidly on to a more detailed text, suggesting this volume should be on the workbench and in the library and classroom, rather than purchased by individuals.