Tumours of the nose, sinuses and nasopharyx is a comprehensive, clear and beautifully illustrated text describing the wide range of benign and malignant tumours of the upper jaw and their management.
In such a specialist field, the editors have unparalleled experience and have written much of the book themselves. Their personal case series includes over 1500 patients; more than any other unit is ever likely to accumulate, and they have much to pass on to their readers. There is no doubt that anybody dealing with these rare lesions would benefit from their combined knowledge. Certainly, there is a concern that as the majority of inflammatory conditions are being treated endoscopically, future surgeons will lose the skills required of external approaches, and passing on these techniques is essential.
The chapter on external approaches is one of the highlights – with clear descriptions of the different approaches. The authors present their own philosophy, which is backed up with their outcomes over two decades of surgery. For example, I found the advice on indications for orbital clearance very useful; if only the periorbita is invaded by a malignant lesion, it can be excised and grafted with fascia lata sparing the eye.
Each of the different tumours is addressed, along with an excellent chapter on granulomatous disorders and other destructive lesions of the nose and paranasal sinuses.
This is a fantastic book, in keeping with the reputation of both the authors and the publishers, Thieme. Sadly, given the rarity of the conditions described, it may not top the Times bestsellers list, but this should in no way detract from the value of this text and the dedication required to produce it. It contains invaluable lessons, which can now be safely passed on to the next generation.
