Neuropathology Rotation

The primary focus of the neuropathology rotation is to help residents gain familiarity with common brain tumor pathologies and introduce them to rarer entities and the evolving landscape of molecular diagnostics pertaining to the field of neuropathology.  While on rotation, residents will also encounter various non-tumor pathologies and additionally be introduced to skeletal muscle and nerve biopsy interpretation, as well as ophthalmic pathology.  The neuropathology rotation is typically taken during the 3^rd year of residency but can also be taken as an earlier or later elective rotation per a resident’s interests or career goals. 

A Resident’s day-to-day on the Neuropathology Rotation

During the 4-week rotation, the resident will participate in review of the weekly operating room schedule and patient brain imaging in preparation for frozen sections, preview cases to review with neuropathology faculty, formulate a work-up and differential, and prepare reports for select cases.  They will participate in complete work-up of various tumor entities, combining MRI imaging review, morphologic assessment, immunohistochemistry interpretation, and incorporation of molecular data including FISH testing, next-generation sequencing, and tumor methylation profiling.  Residents will have the opportunity to participate in weekly autopsy brain cutting conference, neuro-oncology tumor boards, and the monthly neuropathology case conference, where they are asked to share a few interesting cases from the rotation with their colleagues.