Increasing specialisation in pathology reflects the progressive changes
in medical practise. The advent of a specialist with a new interest in a
hospital or clinic may present the pathologist with a need to extend his
or her knowledge to be able to work closely with the clinical practi-
tioner in order to provide adequate clinical care. Some
sub-specialisations are long established, such a one is neu-
ropathology. However, an exclusive specialist practise is generally con-
fined to neurosurgical centres and much neuropathology is of necessity,
executed by geneni.l pathologists. The areas covered by this volume are
those which are commonly managed by the generalist. Professor Adams'
account of how the skull and brain should be examined here will give
confidence to many by defining a good technique and the careful
description of various kinds of vascular injury lesions resulting from
raised intracranial pressure will help to clarify repeated difficulty.
More subtle forms of damage are also considered in detail. Professor
Weller provides a detailed account of how the central nervous system may
be examined in a way which permits all of us to prepare material which
will allow adequate investigation of central nervous system disease and
the proper examination of peripheral nerves. This chapter will become a
"handbook" and will be of interest to those in training and established
practitioners. Muscle biopsy is also dealt with; this is an area of
investigative concern for many gener- alists. The role of that singular
neuropathological technique is very clearly emphasized.
