Percutaneous Vertebroplasty,J.M. Mathis, H. Deramond, S.M. Belkoff, Springer-Verlag, 2002, ISBN 0-387-95306-X, ?152.00, 221 pages

This book gives a warm welcome for the beginner into the increasing community of vertebroplasty. Two hundred and twenty-one pages comprehend the basics as well as tips and tricks for the experienced. The book is divided into 12 chapters, each of them edited by a prominent and experienced vertebral interventionalist. Chapters 1–7 give an overview about anatomy, pathophysiology, patient selection, biomechanics, techniques and material. A separate chapter describes kyphoplasty, a related technique to vertebroplasty, and gives an excellent summary of the method. The good knowledge of this technique gives the interventional radiologist the possibility of weighing up the pros and cons of the related but often concurring technique and will make the reader confident for further discussions and decisions. Much knowledge can further be acquired concerning the treatment of vertebral tumors.