Dermatopathology Institute
Skin Tags-Dermatopathology Updates
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Featured Article
Unknown Slide Review
Literature Update
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Featured Article
Margins on Biopsy
Although there are several articles that address this issue, I still receive requests to comment on "margins" in a punch or shave biopsy. This article illustrates the potential false sense of security of a negative "margin" on a shave or punch biopsy.


Read more.

 

  November 2008

Greetings!

We held our first Umami! It was celebration of the foods and drinks that stimulate our senses in ways we never thought possible. The evening began with five flights of ales.  An eclectic selection of Brazilian BBQ paired with an elegant Red Rhone and finished with a Canadian Ice wine rounded out the memorable evening. Thanks to all who participated.

Umami I

Cheers!

The Dermatopathology Institute
Unknown Slide Reviews
Granular Cell Tumor Unknown Slide Review Part 21

Test your diagnostic acumen with this review of interesting cases from this past week's signout.

What is this tumor that can be mimicked by smooth muscle tumors, carcinomas, and melanomas?
 
 
Unknown Slide Reviews

Dermatopathology Slide Atlas

Diagnostic Pearls from the Dermatopathology Literature
Microscope
Who Sends What? A Comparison of Dermatopathology Referral Patterns from Dermatologists, Pathologists, and Dermatopathologists

J Cutan Pathol 2008;35:658-661.
 
This controversial article addressed the growing issue of direct billing, which in some states are limiting the diagnostic interpretation of skin biopsies to pathologists.  Although this study is flawed, a number of interesting points are raised, planting the seeds for another study that addresses some of the more nuanced referral patterns amongst these three groups of experts.
My thanks to Drs. Pak and Nachazel of California Hospital Medical Center for their kind invitation to speak at their Cancer Committee on November 5, 2008. The topic was Malignant Melanoma-The Dermatopathologist's Viewpoint, Back to the Basics.

If you would like one of our dermatopathologists to give a talk to your office or facility, please contact us directly.

Upcoming Talks
Bread of Life Church, Torrance
February 22nd, 2008
11AM-Noon
Malignant Melanoma-How a Dermatopathologist Can Assist You


Thank you!
 

Paul K. Shitabata, M.D.
President and Medical Director
Dermatopathology Institute
Director of Dermatopathology, Harbor-UCLA Dermatology