Neuropathology
Neuropathology is the branch of medicine concerned with diseases of the nervous system and it is the study of central and peripheral nervous tissue in adults and children. The primary concern is the diagnosis of brain tumours, and neuropathologists are often able to give a preliminary diagnosis to the neurosurgeon while the patient is still on the operating table. It involves interpretation of molecular tests and special stains and will guide other members of the multidisciplinary team when deciding upon treatment strategies. Neuropathologists look at muscle to diagnose inherited and acquired muscle diseases, alongside peripheral nerve samples and occasionally ophthalmic specimens and they are also responsible for post-mortem brain analysis.