Dermatopathology

From The Critics

Reviewer: Bruce Smoller, MD(Stanford University Medical Center)
Description: This textbook of general dermatopathology covers most of the major dermatologic diseases, concentrating primarily on their histologic findings.
Purpose: The authors purpose was to create a textbook that was logical, practical, and easy to use. There is no attempt to create an encyclopedic reference book for all of dermatopathology.
Audience: The book is written for general pathologists and dermatologists who are attempting to make dermatologic diagnoses from histologic sections. It was also written as a teaching tool for residents and fellows, and it concentrates primarily on the most common dermatologic disorders.
Features: The book is divided neatly into chapters that are based on histologic patterns. Diseases that appear similar under a microscope are grouped together. Each chapter attempts to dissect the subtle histologic differences between these similar entities, helping the user to arrive at a definitive diagnosis. The highlight of the book is the algorithmic flowchart that appears at the end of each chapter. This chart offers the reader a decision-tree based on straightforward and reproducible observations that lead directly to a diagnosis.
Assessment: The book is excellent, and one that easily meets the goals its authors set. It would be a welcome addition to the shelves of all dermatologists and pathologists who review microscopic sections of skin as well as trainees in these disciplines.

Bruce Smoller

This textbook of general dermatopathology covers most of the major dermatologic diseases, concentrating primarily on their histologic findings. The authors purpose was to create a textbook that was logical, practical, and easy to use. There is no attempt to create an encyclopedic reference book for all of dermatopathology. The book is written for general pathologists and dermatologists who are attempting to make dermatologic diagnoses from histologic sections. It was also written as a teaching tool for residents and fellows, and it concentrates primarily on the most common dermatologic disorders. The book is divided neatly into chapters that are based on histologic patterns. Diseases that appear similar under a microscope are grouped together. Each chapter attempts to dissect the subtle histologic differences between these similar entities, helping the user to arrive at a definitive diagnosis. The highlight of the book is the algorithmic flowchart that appears at the end of each chapter. This chart offers the reader a decision-tree based on straightforward and reproducible observations that lead directly to a diagnosis. The book is excellent, and one that easily meets the goals its authors set. It would be a welcome addition to the shelves of all dermatologists and pathologists who review microscopic sections of skin as well as trainees in these disciplines.

3 Stars from Doody