Editing Pathology (section)

====Neuropathology====
{{Main|Neuropathology}}

[[File:AVM grossly.jpg|thumb|This [[Coronal plane|coronal]] [[Microtome|cross-section]] of a brain reveals a significant [[arteriovenous malformation]] that occupies much of the [[parietal lobe]].]]

Neuropathology is the study of disease of nervous system tissue, usually in the form of either surgical biopsies or sometimes whole brains in the case of autopsy. Neuropathology is a subspecialty of anatomic pathology, [[neurology]], and [[neurosurgery]].  In many English-speaking countries, neuropathology is considered a subfield of anatomical pathology.   A physician who specializes in neuropathology, usually by completing a fellowship after a residency in anatomical or general pathology, is called a neuropathologist. In day-to-day clinical practice, a neuropathologist generates diagnoses for patients. If a disease of the nervous system is suspected, and the diagnosis cannot be made by less invasive methods, a biopsy of nervous tissue is taken from the brain or spinal cord to aid in diagnosis.  Biopsy is usually requested after a mass is detected by [[medical imaging]]. With autopsies, the principal work of the neuropathologist is to help in the post-mortem diagnosis of various conditions that affect the central nervous system.  Biopsies can also consist of the skin. Epidermal nerve fiber density testing (ENFD) is a more recently developed neuropathology test in which a [[Skin biopsy#Punch biopsy|punch skin biopsy]] is taken to identify small fiber [[neuropathies]] by analyzing the nerve fibers of the skin. This test is becoming available in select labs as well as many universities; it replaces the traditional nerve biopsy test as less [[invasive surgery|invasive]].{{cn|date=August 2022}}