Book Review:Wintrobe’s Clinical Hematology, 10th Edition

The 10th edition of Wintrobe’s Clinical Hematology is a two volume, multiauthored work that spans the ever-expanding discipline of hematology in over 2,600 pages. The book is appropriately introduced by an excellent short chapter written previously by Dr. Wintrobe on “The Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach to Hematologic Problems.” There follows a valuable series of six chapters totaling 133 pages devoted to laboratory hematology, including blood and bone marrow examination, immunodiagnosis, clinical flow cytometry, cytogenetics, clusters of differentiation, and molecular genetics. These chapters contain ample illustrations, diagrams, tables, and references.

The next portion of the book is devoted to an extended description of the normal hematologic system, including detailed discussions of hemostasis and coagulation and of transfusion/transplantation biology. The remainder of the text is divided along traditional lines into disorders of red cells, hemostasis and coagulation, nonmalignant white cell disorders, and hematologic malignancies.

The sections on thrombosis, antithrombotic therapy, and the management of inherited bleeding disorders are especially well done. Tables listing available replacement products and their dosages are very helpful. The section on hematologic malignancies is introduced by several excellent chapters addressing general aspects, such as complications of hematopoietic neoplasms, principles and pharmacology of chemotherapy, and supportive care (including tables on such topics as recommended immunizations, the epidemiology of opportunistic infections, and the pulmonary toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents).

The text has two appendices. The first contains useful reference tables listing normal blood and bone marrow values in adults and children. The second is devoted to comparative hematology in selected species of mammals. The index is extensive and accurate.

A series of color plates, keyed to black-and-white counterparts in the chapters, is located at the beginning of each volume. It also would have been helpful to identify the plates by an attached glossary or brief legends so that they might stand alone as a small atlas.

This latest edition of “Wintrobe” is quite readable and boasts very good continuity of style, considering the large number of authors. In general, adequate space is devoted to the discussion of complex or controversial subjects, and referencing is liberal. Unlike previous editions, references in the 10th edition are numbered in the order cited in the text rather than alphabetically. This makes it easier to identify them when reading.

This new edition of “Wintrobe” continues the book’s tradition as an encyclopedic reference source. However, the new edition takes a more comprehensive and practical clinical approach than have previous editions, thus making it more user-friendly for the student and clinician.