BOOK REVIEWED - Odontogenic Tumours and Allied Lesions

• P.A. Reichart, & H.P. Philipsen
• Surrey: Quintessence, 2004: 388 pp.

1850970599

This is an excellent text providing a very detailed and up-to-date review of odontogenic tumours and allied lesions. Written by highly respected experts in the relevant fields, it covers odontogenic tumours as classified in July 2003, and also provides relevant information on a variety of other related disorders such as fibrous dysplasia, cherubism and aneurysmal bone cysts.

The opening chapters are concerned with the classification of odontogenic tumours, normal odontogenesis and the radiological investigation of such lesions. The book then comprises chapters that consider each of the relevant lesions in some detail. In particular, each chapter provides discussion of terminology, clinical and radiological features, epidemiology, aetiological, pathogenesis, treatment and long-term behaviour of each lesion.

The information is well presented, good radiological images are provided, and the histopathological images generally delineate relevant features. When relevant, examples are given of the intra-oral manifestations of a particular disorder.

The chapters dealing with allied lesions are also well presented. I found the sections considering cherubism, fibrous dysplasia and melanotic neuroectodermal tumour of infancy particularly interesting and informing.

The authors have certainly achieved the goal of presenting a well written, accurate and helpful dissertation of odontogenic tumours. The sections considering treatment and long-term behaviour should be highly relevant to oral and maxillofacial surgeons, whereas sections concerned with histopathological features are clearly of interest to both general and oral and maxillofacial pathologists.

Within the introduction the authors suggest that the readership may include undergraduates. I think this is highly unlikely as the text is far too detailed for undergraduate curricula. Certainly, however, most interested postgraduate students and specialists involved in the diagnosis, investigation and treatment of odontogenic tumours should find this book essential reference material.

This is an excellent text; Professors Reichart and Philipsen have done a splendid job.