First Day at 2015 American Association of Neuropathologists Meeting: The Special Course

The "Special Course" which typically launches the annual AANP meeting (in Denver this year) was anything but typical this year. Rather than the usual series of research presentations which has characterized the first day of the meeting, the 2015 edition of the "Special Course" focused on need-to-know practical topics. Dr. Beatriz Lopes put together a program that offered something for everyone -- from trainee to seasoned practitioner. The morning started with a presentation by Dr. Caterina Giannini on primary CNS lymphoma, as well as its mimickers and precursors. Far from being a straightforward diagnosis, lymphoma -- particularly in the setting of corticosteroid therapy -- can be mistaken for anything from multiple sclerosis to infarct. Next, two eminent scholars from Paris, Drs. Francoise Gray and Elisabeth Tournier-Lasserve, presented a three-part lecture on the hereditary non-amyloid small vessel diseases of the brain. Then Charles Eberhart showed up from Johns Hopkins to provide a primer on ophthalmic pathology, providing a practical approach to eye specimens. For example, Dr. Eberhart discussed the significance of uveal granulomatosis in orbital exenteration specimens. The presence of this finding should be noted in the pathology report as it portends an increased risk for sympathetic ophthalmia. Dr. Arie Perry appeared next with a presentation on the molecular characterization of brain tumors using immunohistochemical surrogates -- an approach particularly appreciated by neuropathologists who work at smaller institutions which may not have the resources to perform protein sequencing and other more advanced laboratory tests. After lunch, the focus was redirected to neuropathology training. Drs. Marc Del Bigio and Suzanne Powell discussed the state of neuropathology training abroad and in the United States, respectively. Finally, a lively discussion was initiated by a panel featuring Drs. Jeff Golden, Dennis Dickson, Liz Cochran, and myself organized under the title "The Professional Market for Neuropathology Trainees". Several audience members talked about their view of the profession and how its many facets are reflected in the training we give fellows and how that training impacts the preparedness of trainees for the job market. Overall, it was engaging day which, as audience member John Donahue put it, was "well worth the price of admission!"