This slender, thoughtful book contains an extraordinary amount of valuable information. It defines, analyzes, and classifies mistakes made in interpreting x-ray films, ranging from the effects of technical artifacts to flaws in the eye, brain, emotions, and tongue of a harassed radiologist. The blunders are fascinating. Some of them arise from complacency, others from ignorance, haste, limited imagination, faulty logic, or ambiguous phrasing of reports. The author suggests practical remedies for every error except the mysterious few that seem to occur for no accountable cause. He stresses the value of repeated film readings, preferably by a second radiologist, after the first preliminary scanning.
Dr. Smith repeatedly calls attention to the vulnerability of radiologists who become isolated from their patients, from written records and referring doctors. He points out the value of comparing one set of films with those taken during an earlier examination as a means of determining subtle changes