Practical Pulmonary Pathology, 4th Edition

By: Maxwell Smith, Kevin O. Leslie, Mark R. Wick 

ISBN: 9780323795470 

Publication Date: December 21, 2023 

Review: William R. Perry, MD, MPH (University of Michigan Medical School) 

Description 

This book provides a comprehensive guide to the histologic diagnosis of lung and pleural disease. This fourth edition is an update to the previous version, which was published in 2013. 

Purpose 

The book aims to serve as a practical, pattern-based guide to aid pathologists in the diagnosis of lung and pleural diseases. 

Audience 

The primary audience of the book is practicing surgical pathologists and pathology trainees. 

Features 

The book begins with a preface describing the six primary histopathologic patterns for all lung diseases with examples of the most important diagnostic considerations based on additional findings beyond the primary pattern. The first four chapters overview lung anatomy and histology, pulmonary function testing, processing of diagnostic lung specimens, and computer tomography of lung disease. Chapters 5-13 thoroughly cover non-neoplastic lung diseases, including commonly encountered conditions such as acute lung injury, diffuse chronic lung disease, infections, and airway disease, as well as topics less familiar to pathologists such as pediatric, occupational (pneumoconiosis), vascular, and transplant-related conditions. The remainder of the book focuses on neoplastic disease of both the lung and pleura, and is divided into chapters based on histologic subtype (neuroendocrine neoplasms, non-neuroendocrine carcinomas, sarcomatoid neoplasms). The book presents over 1,400 high-quality gross, microscopic, and radiologic images with clear and concise descriptions. 

It also contains occasional tables and boxes to summarize diagnostic criteria, comparisons of histologic features in similar entities, and differential diagnoses to consider based on specific histologic findings. The end of each chapter includes a full list of references. 

Assessment 

This fourth edition book remains a valuable text for all surgical pathologists and pathology trainees who diagnose lung and pleural diseases. It is a thorough, well-organized reference that offers practical guidance by emphasizing a pattern-based approach to diagnosis. The organization, formatting, and image quality are superb throughout. Where appropriate, the book includes tables to help simplify more complex information and concepts. However, one caveat readers should be aware of is that some of the authors’ viewpoints on the diagnosis of usual interstitial pneumonia (one of the most important diagnoses when evaluating biopsies in patients with suspected interstitial lung disease) are still topics of controversy within the field of pulmonary pathology. 

Nevertheless, this latest edition of the book confirms its practicality and utility as a premier resource in the diagnosis of pulmonary disease. 

©Doody’s Review Service, 2023, William R. Perry, MD, MPH (University of Michigan Medical School), Doody’s Score: 90 – 4 Stars! 

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