Bhutani's color atlas of dermatology

HR Jerajani

 India,

Correspondence Address:
H R Jerajani
India

Lalit K. Bhutani, Neena Khanna

Publishers: Mehta publishers, New Delhi, Fifth Edition, 2006

Pages 323, Price: Rs. 575/-

This fifth edition of the acclaimed book "Bhutani′s Color Atlas of Dermatology" is the legacy of Dr L. K. Bhutani and reflects his vast experience as an eminent teacher. The atlas is a testament to his vision: "an effort to make the medical fraternity world over ′literate′ in skin diseases in the dark-skinned".

The book has 323 pages full of pictures and written text that includes short description of the diseases covered in a given chapter, relevant clinical tests, histopathology and a brief management strategy. The format of the book is comprehensive, practical and user-friendly, expectedly so as it is targeted at medical students, general practitioners and entrants in the field of dermatology.

For the postgraduates, papulosquamous diseases, vesiculo-bullous diseases, connective tissue diseases, metabolic and nutritional diseases, to name a few have excellent photographs. Nevi, tumors and malformations are adequately represented with relevant histopathology. Rare dermatological diseases indeed make a very interesting chapter. Inclusion of a short synopsis of diagnostic and therapeutic photomedicine, dermatotherapeutics as well as glossary and clinical examination is a very thoughtful strategy to make the book an all-rounder.

However, the chapter on cosmetic dermatology has inadequate representation than it deserves and, all photographs display effects of surgical interventions. Perhaps, in the next edition, the editors will have to pay due attention to the chapter on cosmetic dermatology.

Photographs all through the atlas are of excellent quality on the counts of clarity, color, skin tone, focusing angles and layout. The editors should be congratulated for their Herculean efforts to present photographs relevant to the designated chapter. My only grouse is that many photographs are very morbid and grotesque such as that of filarial elephantiasis, kwashiorkar, hypertrophic lichen planus, leishmaniasis, acne congloblata etc. which perhaps represent severe and longstanding diseases with sequelae. However, if the book is meant for newcomers, early representation of the disease is a must and that is one aspect deserving attention in future.

Overall, the atlas has retained its essence of the earlier editions and has additional newer chapters to include the emerging interests of the dermatologists to make this book a complete, wholesome and an enticing academic feast. I highly recommend it to dermatologists and dermatology students all around the world and especially in the Indian subcontinent due to its content being so relevant to the dark-skinned.