Tony Theobald. Sampson's Textbook of Radiopharmacy

Tony Theobald. Sampson's Textbook of Radiopharmacy, 4th ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press, 2011. 768 pages, $129.99 (hardcover), ISBN 978-0-85369-789-3. The fourth edition of Sampson's Textbook of Radiopharmacy is the first revision in the past 11 years of this well-established textbook on radiopharmacy. The vast majority of the 40 contributing authors are based in the United Kingdom, with a handful of additional contributors from other parts of Europe or the Americas. The textbook contains 37 chapters arranged into 6 topic sections. Following an introductory chapter discussing what is radiopharmacy, subsequent chapters are arranged into sections discussing the physics applied to radiopharmacy, radiopharmaceutical chemistry, radiopharmacokinetics, radiopharmaceutics, radiopharmacy practice, and techniques in research and development. Additional material is included in an extensive list of abbreviations, a brief appendix on radioactive decay laws and practical applications, an extensive glossary of radiopharmacy terms, and a well-detailed index. The first section discussing the physics applied to radiopharmacy contains chapters on nuclear structure, radiation protection, detection of radiation, imaging instruments, and production of radionuclides. The chapters are concise, and many of the figures and tables are simple, clear, and effective for demonstrating important concepts. Sections within the chapter on radiation protection focus on UK legislation. Chapters on detection and imaging provide an excellent overview of the typical equipment found in a radiopharmacy or nuclear medicine imaging facility. The production of nuclides chapter describes basic concepts associated with cyclotron and nuclear reactor production of medical isotopes. The section on radiopharmaceutical chemistry consists of 8 chapters, some of which are dedicated to single isotopes while others discuss groups of related isotopes. These chapters are detailed and would be of interest to those pursuing advanced studies or research. Unfortunately, the content of these chapters are well above the knowledge base for many involved in clinical practice or those exploring independent learning about the niche practice of radiopharmacy. There are 3 chapters included in the section discussing pharmacokinetics and 8 chapters in the section for radiopharmaceutics. Many chapters include numerous figures and tables. Selected chapters focus on current diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. …