Books for Radiology Residency

It is thought that the Books You Need to Survive (and Thrive) are many but gather ’round, young radiologists, and heed the counsel of an old sage who has traversed the halls of residency and emerged on the other side, wiser for the journey. As you embark upon your own path through the world of radiology, know that the books you choose to accompany you will be your steadfast companions, guiding lights in the darkest of reading rooms. Let us delve into the annals of knowledge, year by year, as I impart to you the sacred tomes that shall illuminate your way.

Disclaimer: As always, I would like to point out that there are several links here which direct you to some products. The opinions are my own and I only endorse products and services that I personally like or have used myself. When you purchase through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission. Sometimes you may get a discount but you never have to pay more.

I never believe in a one-size-fit-all solutions and so I will provide you my top three differentials (er, books) for most scenarios except for those which are clearly spotters (er, where a single option is clearly better than others)

First Year: The Rookie Roundup

Congratulations you’ve just stepped foot into wild world of radiology residency. As you navigate the labyrinth of modalities and memorize more acronyms than you thought humanly possible, you should choose one book that’ll be your guiding light throughout your residency. I have tried reading ALL of the books that I am about to recommend although I cannot claim to have finished more than a few. Let’s begin with a classic started book that will be a foundation for you to build upon.

Core Radiology: A Visual Approach to Diagnostic Imaging by Jacob Mandell (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• This book is compact and you are not immediately scared away by it’s size (although it has bulked up recently)
• It has plenty of nice things – annotated diagram, flowcharts, summary tables
• The introduction to most systems are designed well in a friendly and lucid manner
• It is not as voluminous as other classic textbooks – you can read it quicker, revise it quicker and revise more

Grainger & Allison’s Diagnostic Radiology, 2 Volume Set E-Book: 2-Volume Set (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• A popular textbook in Europe and Asia
• Comprehensive and detailed – often daunting for new residents
• Less digestible than Core

Brant and Helms’ Fundamentals of Diagnostic Radiology (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• Popular North American textbook
• Comprehensive and detailed – often daunting for new residents
• Less digestible than Core

Textbook of Radiology and Imaging (India)

• Coming back after decades – rediscover the OG radiology textbook from Sutton
• Similar in size to the Grainger/Brant and Helm’s

Once you have chosen one of the above books, there are a few books which will make your life easier, make you fall in love with the subject or do a bit of both.

Chest Radiographs

The Chest X-Ray Survival Guide: A Survival Guide (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• This is my favourite book on Chest radiographs.
• Friendly, plenty of images, schematics AND is built with the FRCR exam in mind which was important for me.

Felson’s Principles of Chest Roentgenology (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• This was my favourite book on Chest radiographs and is still a delight to read as a new resident
• Best described by the authors as “Self-directed tutorial” with a question answer pattern

The Unofficial Guide to Radiology: 100 Practice Chest X-Rays, with Full Colour Annotations and Full X-Ray Reports (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• I discovered this book after my residency and I had major FOMO because it is such a fantastic book
• It uses colours, annotations to really get into the details of pathology on a radiograph
• Full reports also help you improve your reporting skills

Musculoskeletal radiographs

The Unofficial Guide to Radiology: 100 Practice Orthopaedic X-Rays with Full Colour Annotations and Full X-Ray Reports (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• Another fantastic book from the unofficial guide series
• It uses colours, annotations to really get into the details of pathology on a radiograph
• Full reports also help you improve your reporting skills

Accident and Emergency Radiology: A Survival Guide (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• Plenty of images, schematics AND is built with the FRCR exam in mind which was important for me.
• Has an amazing approach: Whats questions should you ask yourself when you see a radiograph

Fundamentals of Skeletal Radiology (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• Read this for the concepts. The author does not go into details of every disease but drops a lot of wisdom.
• It is very readable – almost like a non-fiction novel and the concepts tend to stay with you long because the delivery is so good.

Abdominal Radiographs

The Unofficial Guide to Radiology: 100 Practice Abdominal X-rays (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• Case-based guide teaches systematic analysis of abdominal X-rays
• Over each page is a model report accompanied by a fully annotated version of the X-ray
• Ideal for students preparing for examinations but also handy guide for trainees and practicing doctors.

Ultrasound

Practical Ultrasound: An Illustrated Guide, Second Edition (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• As you all know, I am a admirer of good illustrations and this book nails it.
• The perfect book for ultrasound beginners
• Talks about all the important sections, the relevant anatomy and pathology
• It is not meant to be exhaustive, mind you, but it succeeds at generating a lot of interest in the subject

Diagnostic Ultrasound (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• Complete, detailed information on ultrasound of the whole body
• Although not for the beginner, this is the book that will answer all your ultrasound related questions

The Second and Third Year: Subspecialty Storm

Ah, the dreaded second year – where you’re no longer the new kid on the block, but you’re still lightyears away from being a seasoned pro. It’s time to dive deeper into the world of modalities and hone your diagnostic skills like a Jedi mastering the Force. By now, you’ve probably discovered that radiology is a vast and varied field, with more subspecialties than you can shake a stethoscope at.

Search Pattern

Search Pattern: A Systematic Approach to Diagnostic Imaging (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• One of my favourite books which is a step-by-step guide for a resident on developing a systemic search pattern
• We develop this with time and experience but this book accelerates the process
• Ideal for second year when you are somewhat familiar with radiology

Differential Diagnosis

Chapman & Nakielny’s Aids to Radiological Differential Diagnosis (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• Essential book to carry with yourself during your rotations
• Quick reference to think about any case you may be looking at

Thoracic Imaging

Thoracic Imaging: Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Radiology (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• This book really has all you need to know about thoracic radiology
• Detailed explanations, excellent high resolution images
• Because it is so big, it is also a bit scary – I read it selectively during residency

Body Imaging

CT and MRI of the Whole Body (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• Authoritative Textbook of Body imaging
• Not for the faint of heart but it is the biggest and baddest book for body imaging

Comprehensive Textbook of Clinical Radiology, Volume IV: Abdomen (Link: India)

• New series of books with more than 500 authors and separate volumes for all subspecialties
• Very detailed books with a lot of focus on anatomy, pathology and reporting tips

Mayo Clinic Gastrointestinal Imaging Review (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• Special mention – fantastic for fluoroscopy of GI tract
• Helps you develop your approach to these highly tested topics

Neuroradiology

Essentials of Osborn’s Brain: A Fundamental Guide for Residents and Fellows (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• It is a newer book that is tailormade for those who are new to neuroradiology
• Contains the essential information from the OG neuro book by the same author
• Much more digestible compared to Osborn’s brain
• Also has a “curriculum”, correlated content in STATdx and RADPrimer

Neuroradiology: The Requisites (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• This one is more appropriate if you want to focus on exams
• Very well written, high yield with a focus on easy reference and recall

Musculoskletal Radiology

Musculoskeletal MRI (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• British publication by Late Dr. Asif Saifuddin. Excellent textbook with great layout that discusses relevant anatomy, variants and pathologies
• Not as friendly as the other book with the same name from across the pond.

Musculoskeletal MRI (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• American Publication. Same author as the Brant and Helms and the MSK book recommend in the first year section
• Excellent textbook, very friendly and with easy recall
• Not as detailed as the Previous book

Comprehensive Textbook of Clinical Radiology, Volume VI: Musculoskeletal System (Link: India)

• My new Go to MSK resource
• New series of books with more than 500 authors and separate volumes for all subspecialties
• Very detailed books with a lot of focus on anatomy, pathology and reporting tips – more so than in any other book I have seen yet.

Breast Radiology

ACR-BIRADS Resources (Link)

• Free resources for mammography, ultrasound and MRI from ACR
• Excellent resource and will meet the needs for most people

Breast Imaging: The Requisites (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• If you need a more comprehensive resource, this book should meet your needs.
• Not too many residents feel a need more this book though

Obstetric Imaging

This section is relevant only for those departments where you do obstetric imaging – there is a lot of variation depending on the place of your training.

Diagnostic Ultrasound (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• Complete, detailed information on ultrasound of the whole body
• This is the book that will answer all your ultrasound related questions, including obstetric ones

Clinical Doppler Ultrasound: Expert Consult (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• Excellent text that describes the technqiue of performing doppler exams
• Covers all the pathologies, guidelines and even reporting tips

Written Exams

Can you believe it? You’ve almost made it to the finish line! As you enter the final stretch of your residency, it’s time to start thinking about life beyond the reading room…the stressful exams!

Crack The Core

• Although originally meant for the Core exams, this legendary book is perfect for every radiology exam
• I have used this for my long form MD exams in India as well as my FRCR exams
• Volume 1 (Link: United States, United Kingdom)
• Volume 2 (Link: United States, United Kingdom)

Top 3 Differentials in Radiology: A Case Review (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• My favourite case review book
• Does justice to all subspecialties and good for all types of exams

Viva books

Radiology Exam Made Easy (India)

• New book but an instant classic
• Stepwise aid for different components of radiology board examinations
• Exam-oriented systematic approach

If you are interested in the FRCR VIVA specifically, Check out my Guide to the FRCR 2B exam here.

Spotters

Aunt Minnie’s Atlas and Imaging-Specific Diagnosis (Link: United States, United Kingdom, India)

• Enormous collection of Aunt Minnie-like cases
• More than 1,100 high-quality images highlight over 380 cases

And so, dear disciples, I impart unto you these sacred texts, forged in the crucible of experience and wisdom. May they serve you well on your journey through the radiant realms of radiology. Go forth now, with confidence and resolve, for the path ahead is yours to tread.