If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this small book, Pediatric Rheumatology: A Color Handbook, is the equivalent of volumes. Physicians must recognize the presentations of rheumatic diseases to make the correct diagnosis and implement the optimal treatments in a child with fevers, rashes, and arthritis. This concise overview of pediatric rheumatology discusses the symptoms and visually presents the signs most commonly seen in these complex conditions.
The book is divided by diagnosis and each chapter reviews the definition and criteria used for each diagnosis, the clinical presentations, differential diagnosis, laboratory tests and their interpretation, and treatments. The pictures in each section are excellent photographs of good quality and help to convey the importance of the history and physical examination in making a diagnosis of a rheumatic disease.
There were sections that used old terminology rather than the now-accepted terms such as “juvenile idiopathic arthritis.” Certain pictures could have been better labeled with arrows pointing to the area of pathology. In addition, some of the treatment options were not updated and discussed.
Overall, this book concisely encompasses the major facts of pediatric rheumatology. It is an excellent guide for those new to the field and will help to build understanding of rheumatic diseases for medical students, residents, and fellows.