Neuropathology Rotation

The goal of the neuropathology rotation if for the resident to be able to recognize, diagnose, and formulate reports for common neoplastic and non-neoplastic neuropathological conditions and develop a strategy for working up more complex or uncommon cases.   The resident should be able to formulate a plan to evaluate neuropathological specimens, recognize the pathology, and write a neuropathological report that includes gross and microscopic descriptions and a final interpretation that includes clinicopathological correlation.  Because most residents will not become specialists in neuropathology, they should learn when and how to seek expert consultation. 

Resident Responsibilities

  • Surgical Neuropathology: The residents will be involved in evaluation of intraoperative consultations, review of permanent sections on all neurosurgical case and preparation of reports prior to review with faculty neuropathologists. The resident should propose which, if any, special stains would be helpful in arriving at a diagnosis.
  • Nerve and Muscle Biopsies: The resident will review the procedures for processing nerve and muscle biopsies to insure proper handling of the specimens. The resident will review the nerve and muscle biopsies with the neuropathologist. It is not expected that a general pathology resident will become proficient in making specific diagnoses in this area during a one-month rotation. However, the resident should become conversant with the general scheme of classification of nerve and muscle diseases and the special stains used to help make these diagnoses.
  • Review of extensive slide collections that are available within the department.