Multislice CT has undergone tremendous changes over the past years. Not only has its clinical use largely increased compared to other modalities such as MRI, but also the frequent introduction of new generations of scanners makes it increasingly challenging to keep up to date. Moreover, since older systems are nonetheless reliable and stable, currently many different generations of CT systems are used throughout the world yet novel indications for newer scanners are constantly being introduced.

The second edition of Bruening et al.'s Protocols for Multislice CT took on the challenge of covering all relevant clinical protocols for all body regions using any CT system. This made it necessary to involve 38 authors, all well-known experts of the field. The increased acquisition speed, novel indications and the increased use of multislice CT in children also made it necessary to add a chapter that addressed special protocols and the appropriate contrast material regimen. With the different injection doses, velocities and concentrations currently under investigation, both theoretical and practical protocols for each body part have been included. Since CT-guided interventions are increasingly attractive and commonplace in most clinical institutions, the volume also includes a chapter on the most important interventions.

To address the gradual change from single image acquisition to an all thin-collimated volume acquisition using CT systems from 4 to 64 slices, the layout of the book was adapted accordingly. For each body region, a compact and visually attractive scheme covers indications, patient preparation and positioning and, as major focus, it comments on all necessary scanner settings and protocols independently from any manufacturer. Since all protocols mentioned are used in clinical routine, they have been proven reliable in a clinical setting. Moreover each chapter provides tips and tricks for individual exams, so readers can easily appreciate the given information and become familiar with the procedures.

Data post-processing after acquisition has become more and more clinical routine and is indispensable for many protocols. Since the editors felt that post-processing could not be separated from scanning protocols, methods of data elaboration are also given for each examination. In addition, one chapter is dedicated to image artifacts: many visual examples are given and solutions to reduce artifacts are suggested.

Radiation dose is becoming an important issue, since the virtually unlimited scanning possibilities may significantly increase patients' exposure to radiation. This important topic is discussed thoroughly in a dedicated chapter, and tips to avoid excessive radiation dose have also been included in the chapters on scanning protocols.

Technical development in computed tomography has made possible new indications, such as cardiac CT. These novel indications are thoroughly covered by the volume, which provides readers with all the information necessary to perform these new exams.

Bruening and coauthors have written an extremely useful book for everyday clinical use. Its compact format (not exceeding 300 pages) makes the book an excellent reference, and the more than 200 figures, many of them in color, make it easy to read and understand. In all, this attractive book is recommended to everyone involved in CT scanning, including radiologists who confirm the indication, technicians who execute the exam according to current standards, and referring physicians who need to know which CT exams are appropriate for their patients.