Diagnostic Histochemistry

Description

Pathology is an inherently subjective discipline, and therefore is often referred to as both an art and a science. Over the years, laboratory physicians have implemented special tissue stains and molecular techniques to limit subjectivity in the discipline. Beginning in the late 19th century, histochemical stains were developed to assess diagnostic biochemical reactions in tissue. Histochemistry has recently seen a resurgence in popularity because of the higher costs of other newer methods. Today, this technique is used by almost every pathology laboratory across the world. This book comprehensively covers all diseases for which that technique plays a central role in diagnosis. Every anatomic region is covered in detail with examples of appropriate staining techniques, and the book is heavily illustrated with over 850 color photomicrographs. This is the first monograph to be published on histochemistry in 15 years, and it is the only one that is diagnostically-oriented.

Mark R. Wick, MD is Professor of Pathology and Associate Director of Surgical Pathology at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville. He received his undergraduate education at Carroll University (Waukesha, WI), his medical degree at the University of Wisconsin (Madison, WI), and his anatomic and clinical pathology residency training at the Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation (Rochester, MN). He has served on the pathology faculties at the Mayo Medical School (Rochester, MN), the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN) and Washington University (St Louis, MO), and has made contributions to the specialty of pathology as an investigator, practitioner, educator and mentor. Dr Wick is a physician who has continued to practice as a general anatomic pathologist and yet has developed expertise in several subspecialty areas of pathology. Immunohistochemistry, dermatopathology, thoracic pathology and soft tissue pathology are his particular interests.

'In the world of molecular biology, gene arrays, nanotechnology, automated staining and novel imaging systems, it is heart-warming to see the appearance of a book celebrating the survival of diagnostic staining techniques in histochemistry. Overall this is a very attractive book that deserves a place in every pathology laboratory and medical library. There are few scientific disciplines where art, aesthetics and science are so intimately combined or have such impact despite their longevity. Where are the aesthetics in a Western blot or a gel? Acta Histochemica