MCW Pathology & Laboratory Medicine - Neuropathology

The division of Neuropathology is directed by Dr. Elizabeth J. Cochran, a board-certified neuropathologist, and provides the full range of diagnostic services for neurosurgical specimens and autopsy nervous system evaluations.

The service includes evaluation of surgical specimens of neoplastic and non-neoplastic disorders of brain and spinal cord utilizing, frozen sections, standard histology and, when needed, up-to-date special stains, immunohistochemistry, and molecular evaluations. Electron microscopic evaluation is also available, as indicated. Approximately 350 neurosurgical specimens and outside consultations are evaluated each year.

Autopsy evaluation of brain and spinal cord is performed on approximately 40 cases per year.

Pathology, neurosurgical, and neurology residents rotate on service with Dr. Cochran throughout the year, attending daily sign-out sessions, weekly brain cutting, and reviewing computer-based teaching modules. Clinical-pathological conferences with the departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery occur quarterly, in which residents from both of the departments of Pathology and Neurology participate.