Dermatopathology

Diagnostic dermatopathology is a major component of the outpatient diagnostic services provided by Ketchum, Wood & Burgert Pathology Associates. Our laboratory is committed to providing the most comprehensive range of cutaneous diagnostic services available. The dermatopathology staff is genuinely interested in all aspects of human cutaneous disease, its clinical anatomic manifestations, as well as its microscopic features. Perhaps more so in dermatopathology than in any other subspecialty area of diagnostic surgical pathology is close communication between clinician and pathologists so important. Careful correlation of clinical and microscopic data is essential for the production of complete and clinically useful diagnostic reports.

Several areas of interest of special diagnostic expertise are offered to assist clinicians with particular problems. These include:

  • Histopathologic analysis of atypical pigmented lesions, including dysplastic melanocytic nevi and malignant melanoma. Diagnostic reports include detailed information regarding cytologic and / or histologic atypia, radial / vertical growth patterns, depth of invasion and excision margin involvement.
  • Light microscopic diagnostic interpretations of eczematous, lichenoid, psoriasiform, urticarial, vasculitic, vesiculo-bullous and other primary inflammatory dermatoses.
  • Diagnostic reports provide detailed histologic descriptions of primary and secondary pathologic processes, histologic differential diagnoses and clinical-pathological correlation.
  • Diagnosis and classification of primary cutaneous tumors, hamartomas and cysts, including epidermal, adnexal and mesenchymal proliferations.
  • Evaluation of cutaneous manifestations of genodermatoses, immunodeficiency and nutritional deficiency states, and drug-induced hypersensitivity eruptions.
  • Biopsy evaluation of alopecia and other scalp or follicular disorders; routine and transverse sectioning techniques are provided where appropriate.

Professional and support services include: Diagnostic services provided under three Board Certified Dermatopathologists; telephone consultation and rush reports; opportunities for interested clinicians to review diagnostic slides at a multi-head microscope; cutaneous specimen requisition forms designed to facilitate collecting patient data and specimen information; and complimentary histologic supplies.

Telephone reports are generally available within 24 hours, with the final written reports provided within 48 hours. IPWebLink allows reports to be viewed and printed immediately upon completion.