A scientific book may reach its third edition when there are new elements and information to be added to those present in the previous versions, and only in the case of an editorial success that acts as a stimulus to the new publication. This edition arrives five years after that of 2018, demonstrating a format particularly appreciated by the ones they want to become experts in the field, to be identified in the broad category of those who work in neurosciences, with particular reference to neuro-radiologists, intended both as residents and as practitioners.

In this version, compared to the previous one, it was first of all necessary to adapt the contents to the new classifications, also introducing new nosological categories or cases not present before. In particular, changes in 2021 WHO CNS tumor grading and innovative nomenclature have been considered, presenting new classifications, mainly based on genetics and molecular definitions, now available in Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM).

But the fundamental reason for this updated publication must be sought in the desire to increase the case history, enriching it with better iconographic contents, acquired with state-of-the-art equipment and techniques, which make the differential diagnosis more reliable through the better identification of ever more precise details, of increasingly appropriate information.

This volume of 1074 pages, enriched by more than 7,000 high-quality print and online images, covers more than 275 of the top differential diagnoses and has been divided in two major sections, regarding respectively skull/brain and spine, with a distinction between adult and pediatric diseases.

The didactic schema is defined for all the pathological conditions, presenting multiple significant images for each diagnosis, accompanied by a brief and essential information, offering helpful clues. The final diagnosis may be reached considering all the possible interpretations, referred to conditions defined as common, less common and rare (but however to be known), in order to facilitate the DDx also on the basis of the frequency of each pathological state. At the end of each “chapter”, an updated and essential bibliography is also added.

This publication has been edited by Karen L. Salzman, Professor of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah; Miral D. Jhaveri, leading author of the prior editions and of the Section: Brain in this book, Professor of Neuroradiology at the Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois; Jeffrey S. Ross, Professor of Radiology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, in Phoenix, AZ; Karen L. Salzman, Professor of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah. The contribution of other international experts in the field is also recognized on the cover.

The publication also includes an eBook version that enables you to access all text, figures, and references, with the ability to search, customize your content, make notes and highlights, and have content read aloud. In the preface, A.G. Osborn and K.L Salzman conclude: “…if there are diagnoses that you’d like to see that we somehow haven’t included, let us know. We can add them electronically and are always happy to have your suggestions”.