The course will present nine controversial issues in gastrointestinal pathology, each accompanied by an illustrative case with history, histologic material, and a statement of the controversy. The goal of the discussions will be to resolve the controversy and to provide the participants with accurate and reproducible information that can be applied to their diagnostic practices. The topics will include the range of features seen in the normal gut, and the effects of preparation for endoscopy; short segment Barrett's esophagus versus chronic carditis and the implications of this distinction; the causes and sequelae of chronic gastritis with special reference to regeneration versus dysplasia; the evaluation of small intestinal mucosa in malabsorption syndromes; the several forms of acute colitis, including patterns that may be used in the differential diagnosis; the discriminating and confounding features noted in distinguishing the types of chronic colitis, and aspects of gastrointestinal neoplasia, including colitis-associated dysplasia versus sporadic adenomas, and the diagnosis and management of carcinoma in adenomas.

The course should be suitable for general surgical pathologists and pathology residents. The case histories and a limited number of loan sets of glass slides will be available for advance mailing. All registrants will be mailed a set of transparencies after the meeting, and a syllabus will be distributed at the course. (Last Scheduled Presentation)