Callen’s Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 6e

Book Preface

The first edition of this textbook was published well over 30 years ago, when Peter Callen was a young faculty member, we were in medical school, and obstetric sonography was an emerging subspecialty. Whereas the book has grown and evolved through the subsequent editions, it has remained one of the most highly regarded texts in obstetric and gynecologic ultrasound. The three of us grew up reading and learning from Callen’s Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Therefore, when we were invited to edit the sixth edition, it was an opportunity that we were eager to embrace, daunting though it was to follow in Peter’s footsteps.

Over the years, many aspects of obstetric and gynecologic ultrasound have changed. Ultrasound technology and equipment continue to improve. The anatomic detail that can be visualized and the physiologic parameters that can be assessed have expanded the utility, as well as the complexity, of ultrasound imaging. As in other areas of medicine, care of the obstetric and gynecologic patient in today’s practice has advanced to involve much more collaboration across disciplines.

This sixth edition reflects this change and was truly a multidisciplinary effort reflecting contributions from experts in obstetrics and gynecology, maternal-fetal medicine, and diagnostic radiology and biomedical imaging. Mary recruited authors from the fields of obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine and edited chapters on obstetric and fetal sonography. Leslie served as the gynecology editor, managing the recruitment of authors and editing of chapters focused on gynecologic imaging. Vickie helped ensure that the ultrasound images, diagrams, and medical illustrations were of the highest quality.

The three of us have been fortunate to have been trained by, and subsequently worked alongside, some renowned leaders in the field of obstetric and gynecologic imaging. Many of these colleagues and friends, names well known to those in this arena, have contributed to this textbook. The updated information highlights the clinical context and impact of imaging findings. We believe this approach has added to the richness, breadth, and depth of the content of this new edition.

The prior editions of this textbook were edited by Peter with meticulous care and attention. He was always mindful of including authors who are respected experts in their fields and whose writing is authoritative and clear. He ensured that each edition was a substantial update from the previous version and that each chapter was well and liberally illustrated with high-quality sonographic images, drawings, and diagrams to help clarify concepts and illustrate ideas. We aimed to follow his lead and have greatly benefited from his experience, advice, and help throughout this process.

In addition to Peter, who taught us so much and had faith that we could successfully carry on this tradition, there are many others to whom thanks is due. First and foremost, we want to acknowledge and thank all the authors who contributed such outstanding chapters, representing many hours of dedication and effort. The staff at Elsevier, including Taylor Ball in particular, was very helpful and patient as we moved through the production process. Many sonographers and sonologist colleagues helped us collect high-quality images. Finally and importantly, we must thank our families who tolerated so many late nights, early mornings, and weekends spent writing, editing, and tending to this text.

Mary E. Norton, MD, Leslie M. Scoutt, MD,
and Vickie A. Feldstein, MD