Recognizing that a simple cutaneous biopsy can provide insight to complex systemic processes, a series of ten cases will be presented which are designed to instruct course participants in the interpretation of changes in the skin which require urgent clinical response. This course is designed to educate general pathologists who read skin biopsies, dermatopathologists and pathology resident-trainees on the disorders with cutaneous manifestations capable of producing significant morbidity or mortality. Participants will get an overview of the cutaneous diagnoses which have significant impact capable of causing death. Emphasis will be placed on key diagnostic features that may be subtle or easily overlooked and a detailed discussion of the differential diagnosis.

At the end of the course, participants should have a better understanding of how to recognize these entities and, in the proper clinical setting, establish an accurate diagnosis. Further, the participants will be able to establish a differential of other diagnoses with similar histology.

Pre-registrants will be provided a link to the USCAP website where virtual slides will be available for review prior to the meeting. A complete syllabus of cases discussed, including diagnostic features and differential diagnoses, will be distributed at the course. After the meeting all participants will receive a CD with representative histologic images from the cases.

This course may be used for CME credits or SAM's credits.