Differential Diagnosis in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery

Review by L Flood

I am sure (well, almost sure) that I once owned a Thieme book of this title while preparing for FRCS in 1980. It was highly treasured and referred to, even while sitting in the waiting room awaiting the viva bell.

This is a multi-author work, with contributors from all over the US. I particularly enjoyed the foreword, which, in a single page, discussed how all surgeons think, how otolaryngologists think more laterally, and how we face the challenges of diagnosis in our diverse speciality. Rob Jackler wrote this foreword, of course!

The opening chapters deal with aids to clinical diagnosis, such as imaging, audiology and immunology. The book closes with brief coverage of ‘recent advances’, but the main text concentrates on management of 70 clinical presentations, ranging from facial asymmetry in children, through thyroid abnormality and sudden hearing loss, to neck ageing. The contributions vary. Some carry excellent colour photographs, but imaging is very sparse (so consider the book reviewed above as one of this pair, I feel).

This is probably more a reference book and a revision text before the exam than an easy read from cover to cover.

A very useful addition to the trainee’s library.

Amazon Link: Differential Diagnosis in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
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