Biopsy Pathology Series – serie

Biopsy pathology of the lymphoreticular system has been written primarily for diagnostic histopathologists although we hope that other workers in the field of lymphoreticular disease will find it of interest and value. With our primary readership in mind we have generously illustrated most sections of the book. Allillustrationsare of haematoxylin and eosin stained sections unless otherwise specified. Conceptual understanding of the histogenesis and interrelationship of non-Hodgkin's Iymphomas has been in a state of turmoil for over a decade. In more recent years immunological and immunocytochemical studies have clarified some problems although in other areas such as the T-celllymphomas histogenetic interrelationships are still far from clear. We are aware, therefore, that in writing this book we have been aiming at a moving target; nevertheless, we feel that the need for such a book, particularly amongst diagnostic histopathologists, outweighs the advan- tage of waiting until all the t's are crossed and all the i's dotted.

This volume aims to assist surgical pathologists in the interpretation of acute and chronic bronchial lesions and neoplasms. Biopsy is taken in the widest sense, with the inclusion of cytology, microbiopsies and macrobiopsies. The main emphasis is placed on the diagnostic features of human lesions, illustrated with numerous high quality light and electron micrographs. Relevant experimental and ultrastructural features are explained where this aids identification of cytological and histological features. The book is divided into two sections. Part I deals with the gathering and preparation of bronchial specimens and includes a chapter on the embryology and structure of the normal bronchial tree. Part II makes up the bulk of the book which describes the pathology of an extensive list of bronchial diseases. This book should be of interest to pathologists.

During the last 20 years the development of enzyme histochemical techniques has contributed greatly to knowledge of muscle pathology. However, these and other new methods, such as electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry, have only relatively recently become gener- ally available for routine use in histopathology. Muscle biopsy is a long-established technique in clinical practice, having been introduced by Duchenne in 1868 (Arch. Gen. Med. , 11, 5-179). However, the needle method used by Duchenne was not generally adopted, although Shank and Hoagland described a similar technique in 1943 (Science, 98, 592). During this time muscle biopsies required a surgical procedure and this was a considerable disincentive to their use. It was not until Bergstrom (1962; Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest. , 14, Suppl. 68) and Edwards (1971; Lancet, ii, 593--6) developed a simple biopsy needle suitable for muscle work in connection with exercise physiology that the advantages of needle muscle biopsies came to be appreciated. Since then, muscle biopsies have become a relatively minor procedure.This has led to the increasing use of muscle biopsy in clinical practice, both for diagnosis and for assessing progress in repeated biopsies during the course of a disorder and its treatment. The full range of enzyme histochemical and ultrastructural histological techniques can be applied to these small biopsies and many of the older histological staining methods can also be used. This book is intended to serve as a practical guide in muscle pathology, particularly for histopathologists, and for those in training.

The incidence of cutaneous melanoma has risen considerably over the last few decades, and much attention is now paid to the early diagnosis of this tumour. As a consequence, pathologists are seeing more specimens of pigmented skin lesions. Clinically new entities, such as dysplastic naevi have been identified, and have added to the complexity of the differential diagnosis. Extracutaneous melanocytic lesions are less common but are of considerable clinical importance. This book is a further addition to the "Biopsy Pathology Series", and carries on the tradition of providing a well-illustrated guide for the reporting room pathologist. This has been achieved by highlighting those well-defined histological features which should be used as diagnostic criteria. In addition, tables of diagnostic features are also included, which should facilitate easy reference. This book should be of interest to pathologists and dermatologists.