Dermatopathology
Duration: One month
Rotation Director(s): Diya Mutasim, MD
Faculty/ Instructor(s):
Kerith E. Spicknall, MD
Description of Rotation
The dermatopathology rotation will place special emphasis on both common and critical conditions rather than on esoteric and rarely seen lesions.
Rotation Objective
- Identify common diagnostic challenges and misdiagnoses in dermatopathology which should prompt consultation with a specialist.
- Demonstrate the ability to distinguish when routine histology should be complemented by immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry or other tissue evaluation.
- Describe clinical correlates of histopathology as taught during didactics.
Daily Responsibilities
The resident is expected to pre-read the daily slides before signing them out with the dermatopathologist (except on rare occasions). The resident is expected to attend the weekly dermatopathology conference and the monthly unknown sessions with the dermatology residents and dermatopathology fellow. The resident is also expected to study the teaching slide collection and is urged to work on a project or case report of interest during the rotation.
On the first day of the rotation, the resident should meet with the Dermatopathology Laboratory Coordinator (MSB 7410, 558-5954) to go over the daily routine for sign-outs. The resident is expected to report to MSB 7409 immediately after mandatory morning surgical pathology conferences (but no later than 9:30 a.m.) on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. On Wednesdays, the resident is expected to attend the dermatopathology conference at 7:30 a.m. in MSB 7408 (the resident can check with the dermatology program coordinator (558-6302) or the dermatopathology fellow for exact times of the dermatopathology conferences scheduled for the month).
The resident is strongly urged to attend other conferences of interest in the dermatology department, including the weekly Grand Rounds, and can contact the dermatology program coordinator (558-6302) for a schedule.
Evaluation
Daily evaluations will be given of accuracy of diagnosis at the microscopic sign-out, as well as other competencies.