When Kevin Leslie and Mark Wick approached us a few years ago to write a new neuropathology textbook for a patterns-oriented organ-based series, it was with some trepidation that we ultimately accepted. After all, there are already some excellent texts available on this topic, and we have both contributed chapters to some of these in the past. However, the patterns approach used in the Leslie and Wick Practical Pulmonary Pathology book is somewhat novel, and we were not aware of others placing a major emphasis on this tactic toward neuropathology diagnosis. As our work progressed, we found additional ways of enhancing the reader's experience and we are quite excited about the final product! Our primary target audience is the general surgical pathologist and pathology trainees. However, while we focused most on common issues of surgical neuropathology, rarer entities and clinicopathologic correlations are also well covered and illustrated. Therefore, we believe that this book will also be useful to neuropathologists and clinical colleagues from related medical specialties such as neurosurgery, neurology, neuroradiology, neuro-oncology, and pediatrics. In order to readdress the important question of why one should buy yet another neuropathology textbook, we provide the following list of strengths.
Patterns-based diagnostic approaches: In addition to offering the traditional disease-based approach to nervous system pathology (Chapters 5 through 25), this book provides instructive algorithms based on 8 major (scanning magnification) patterns (immediately following the introduction) and 20 minor (higher magnification) patterns (Chapter 1). This material can be particularly helpful to less experienced morphologists who may feel lost or overwhelmed by the myriad diagnostic possibilities. After the reader obtains an appropriately focused differential, he or she can quickly turn to more detailed discussions of specific entities in later chapters of the book. Alternatively, one can start with basic clinicoradiologic patterns combining patient age, location, and neuroimaging features to create a differential diagnosis (Table 1-1). In fact, these two approaches are easily combined to further narrow the differential. To further enhance this strategy, the key clinicopathologic features for 21 common differentials and the immunoprofiles for 26 common tumors are summarized in Tables 1-3 and 1-4, respectively. Major neuroimaging patterns are listed in Box 4-1.
Background data: The nervous system is particularly challenging because of its remarkable anatomic and cellular complexity. For instance, the histology changes completely from one area to another, engendering diverse diagnostic differentials depending on the site of involvement. Therefore, a review of basic neuroanatomy and histopathology may help (Chapter 2). In addition, the use of ancillary techniques is rapidly evolving, and therefore an overview of immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and molecular diagnostics is provided in Chapter 1.
Intraoperative consultation and optimal processing: Nothing seems to provoke a panic attack more reliably than the “neuro frozen,” yet there is often little practical guidance available for this common setting. Furthermore, artifacts induced by frozen sections and many other procedures implemented by either the neurosurgeon or the pathologist can present serious pitfalls and may preclude an accurate diagnosis. These important topics are discussed in Chapter 3.
Neuroradiology: As will be mentioned several times in this book, neuroradiology increasingly provides the most relevant gross pathology for nervous system biopsy interpretation, particularly when the tissue sample is small. In this context the pathologist must become at least an amateur neuroradiologist so that important radiologic-pathologic correlations are not missed. This critical topic is summarized and illustrated in Chapter 4.
The authors: In addition to being international authorities on their topics, the authors were carefully selected for their clarity and enthusiasm for teaching. They are highly sought conference speakers, writers, and recipients of teaching awards. One is also known for a somewhat unconventional but highly popular teaching method. Dr. Perry's innovative use of “neuropathology songs” to help medical students remember key features of neurological disorders has been the topic of several newspaper and radio reports. By the time this book is published, a CD recording should be complete and readers interested in a fun approach to musically reinforcing their knowledge base should visit www.neuropathsongs.com.
The images: One can scarcely find a more visually oriented medical specialty than pathology. Therefore, if the average picture is worth 1000 words, then the average pathology picture must be worth at least 10,000. With this in mind, we took great care to find the best images possible, making sure that the text is amply illustrated with generously sized high-quality figures. Given the focus of this book on surgical neuropathology, most of the “gross photos” are naturally magnetic resonance images. Nonetheless, we did not hesitate to utilize some postmortem photos and discussions when these clearly enhanced the reader's understanding. This was particularly true for the infectious/inflammatory, vascular, and neurodegenerative disorders covered in Chapters 2124, and 25, respectively.
The text: In order to highlight the most salient features of each disorder, italics are used throughout the text for quick reference, as are helpful summary tables and boxes.
We have endeavored to create a practical guide for those who work with biopsies of the nervous system and the patients from whom they were derived. We sincerely hope that you find it useful and enjoyable.
Patterns-based diagnostic approaches: In addition to offering the traditional disease-based approach to nervous system pathology (Chapters 5 through 25), this book provides instructive algorithms based on 8 major (scanning magnification) patterns (immediately following the introduction) and 20 minor (higher magnification) patterns (Chapter 1). This material can be particularly helpful to less experienced morphologists who may feel lost or overwhelmed by the myriad diagnostic possibilities. After the reader obtains an appropriately focused differential, he or she can quickly turn to more detailed discussions of specific entities in later chapters of the book. Alternatively, one can start with basic clinicoradiologic patterns combining patient age, location, and neuroimaging features to create a differential diagnosis (Table 1-1). In fact, these two approaches are easily combined to further narrow the differential. To further enhance this strategy, the key clinicopathologic features for 21 common differentials and the immunoprofiles for 26 common tumors are summarized in Tables 1-3 and 1-4, respectively. Major neuroimaging patterns are listed in Box 4-1.
Background data: The nervous system is particularly challenging because of its remarkable anatomic and cellular complexity. For instance, the histology changes completely from one area to another, engendering diverse diagnostic differentials depending on the site of involvement. Therefore, a review of basic neuroanatomy and histopathology may help (Chapter 2). In addition, the use of ancillary techniques is rapidly evolving, and therefore an overview of immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and molecular diagnostics is provided in Chapter 1.
Intraoperative consultation and optimal processing: Nothing seems to provoke a panic attack more reliably than the “neuro frozen,” yet there is often little practical guidance available for this common setting. Furthermore, artifacts induced by frozen sections and many other procedures implemented by either the neurosurgeon or the pathologist can present serious pitfalls and may preclude an accurate diagnosis. These important topics are discussed in Chapter 3.
Neuroradiology: As will be mentioned several times in this book, neuroradiology increasingly provides the most relevant gross pathology for nervous system biopsy interpretation, particularly when the tissue sample is small. In this context the pathologist must become at least an amateur neuroradiologist so that important radiologic-pathologic correlations are not missed. This critical topic is summarized and illustrated in Chapter 4.
The authors: In addition to being international authorities on their topics, the authors were carefully selected for their clarity and enthusiasm for teaching. They are highly sought conference speakers, writers, and recipients of teaching awards. One is also known for a somewhat unconventional but highly popular teaching method. Dr. Perry's innovative use of “neuropathology songs” to help medical students remember key features of neurological disorders has been the topic of several newspaper and radio reports. By the time this book is published, a CD recording should be complete and readers interested in a fun approach to musically reinforcing their knowledge base should visit www.neuropathsongs.com.
The images: One can scarcely find a more visually oriented medical specialty than pathology. Therefore, if the average picture is worth 1000 words, then the average pathology picture must be worth at least 10,000. With this in mind, we took great care to find the best images possible, making sure that the text is amply illustrated with generously sized high-quality figures. Given the focus of this book on surgical neuropathology, most of the “gross photos” are naturally magnetic resonance images. Nonetheless, we did not hesitate to utilize some postmortem photos and discussions when these clearly enhanced the reader's understanding. This was particularly true for the infectious/inflammatory, vascular, and neurodegenerative disorders covered in Chapters 2124, and 25, respectively.
The text: In order to highlight the most salient features of each disorder, italics are used throughout the text for quick reference, as are helpful summary tables and boxes.
We have endeavored to create a practical guide for those who work with biopsies of the nervous system and the patients from whom they were derived. We sincerely hope that you find it useful and enjoyable.
Arie Perry, Daniel J. Brat
Book Features
- Includes fully searchable access to the text online at expertconsult.com, along with an image bank of over 1430 downloadable images and tables.
- Provides all the information essential for completing a sign-out report: clinical findings, pathologic findings, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.
- Illustrates key pathologic and clinical aspects of disease entities through over 1430 superb, high-quality full-color images that help you evaluate and interpret biopsy samples.
- Presents a team of internationally recognized experts for authoritative and up-to-date information from leading diagnosticians in neuropathology.
- Features a user-friendly design with patterns color-coded to specific entities in the table of context and text and key points summarized in tables, charts, and graphs so you can quickly and easily find what you are looking for.
- Directs you to the chapter and specific page number of the in-depth diagnostic guidance you need through a unique, pattern-based visual index at the beginning of the book.
- Details key diagnostic features associated with rare and esoteric conditions in a visual encyclopedia with distinctive findings and artifacts for unusual patterns at the end of the book.
Website Features
- Consult the book from any computer at home, in your office, or at any practice location.
- Instantly locate the answers to your clinical questions via a simple search query.
- Quickly find out more about any bibliographical citation by linking to its MEDLINE abstract.
- Images: Browse a Library of all book images. Easily select, organize, and download your images into a presentation.
Contents - Practical Surgical Neuropathology Major Patterns
- Chapter 1 - Neuropathology Patterns and Introduction
- Chapter 2 - Normal Brain Histopathology
- Chapter 3 - Intraoperative Consultation and Optimal Processing
- Chapter 4 - Neuroradiology: The Surrogate of Gross Neuropathology
- Chapter 5 - Astrocytic and Oligodendroglial Tumors
- Chapter 6 - Ependymomas and Choroid Plexus Tumors
- Chapter 7 - Neuronal and Glioneuronal Neoplasms
- Chapter 8 - Pineal Parenchymal Tumors
- Chapter 9 - Embryonal (Primitive) Neoplasms of the Central Nervous System
- Chapter 10 - Meningiomas
- Chapter 11 - Mesenchymal Tumors of the Central Nervous System
- Chapter 12 - Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors
- Chapter 13 - Epithelial, Neuroendocrine, and Metastatic Lesions
- Chapter 14 - Lymphomas and Histiocytic Tumors
- Chapter 15 - Germ Cell Tumors
- Chapter 16 - Melanocytic Neoplasms of the Central Nervous System
- Chapter 17 - Other Glial Neoplasms
- Chapter 18 - Pathology of the Pituitary and Sellar Region
- Chapter 19 - Therapy-Associated Neuropathology
- Chapter 20 - Familial Tumor Syndromes
- Chapter 21 - Infections and Inflammatory Disorders
- Chapter 22 - White Matter and Myelin Disorders
- Chapter 23 - Pathology of Epilepsy
- Chapter 24 - Vascular and Ischemic Disorders
- Chapter 25 - Biopsy Pathology of Neurodegenerative Disorders in Adults
Product Details
- Hardcover: 656 pages
- Publisher: Churchill Livingstone; 1 Har/Psc edition (April 16, 2010)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0443069824
- ISBN-13: 978-0443069826
- Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9 x 1.2 inches
