The second edition of the pocket guide “Color Atlas of Ultrasound Anatomy” edited by Berthold Block is an authorized and updated translation of the original German edition, which was very successful as demonstrated by its translation into many languages, including Chinese and Japanese. This atlas presents a systematic manner the normal sectional anatomy of the abdominal and pelvic organs and the thyroid gland. It includes more than 550 images, including both sonographic images and sectional anatomy schemes. After a brief introductory chapter dealing with the standard scanning planes for abdominal scanning, the author systematically analyses the different structures and organs, paralleling the sonographic representations with labelled anatomic outlines. The sonographic images are of high quality and the richly coloured anatomical drawings support a direct recognition of each structure. Moreover, the small three-dimensional diagrams provide a detailed representation of the scanning plane in the organs.

Because of its very high didactic content, this concise and practical book may be useful for introducing physicians and medical students to ultrasound scanning, and also has the potential to support experts in their sonographic practice as a readily available guide. The small, almost pocket, format and the high-quality information included are unique features of this atlas which make it invaluable for experts and for physicians and students who look toward the complex sonographic art. Nuclear physicians seeking to enlarge their knowledge in the whole diagnostic imaging scenario can be certainly included in this group.

Despite its major value, minor limitations may partially affect the use of this atlas as the only reference book for all the most relevant abdominal and pelvic indications. First, a wider sonographic representation of the gonads (the ovaries and even more the testes) and of lymph nodes would reinforce the book’s clinical usefulness, particularly considering the major role of ultrasonography in analysing these organs and their variable position in the abdomen/pelvis. Moreover, a clearer and more immediate identification of structures named in the figure legends (e.g. with symbols/arrows superimposed directly on the sonographic images) would help more rapid comprehension. Finally, images acquired with endoscopic probes (e.g. via the transvaginal or transrectal approach) could be added as a further contribution for beginners and experts to broaden their knowledge of the capability of ultrasonography using nonroutine approaches.