Laboratory Services

Surgical Pathology
Dr. James Pullman, Director
(718) 920-4970
Dr. Kathryn Tanaka, Associate Director
(718) 920-4976
Dr. Kathleen Whitney, Site Director, Weiler Hospital
(718) 904-2947

Surgical Pathology is the study of disease in tissues and organs removed from patients  during surgery or other diagnostic procedures.  From gross and microscopic examination of removed tissue, the surgical pathologist determines the cause of disease within broad categories such as neoplasia (cancer), infection, inflammation, trauma and malformation, as well as specific disorders within these categories. By defining the disease process on a cellular and sometimes a molecular level, the surgical pathologist makes a unique and critical contribution to patient care.  Research in surgical pathology may address basic questions of cell and molecular biology, specific treatment protocols, or clinical correlations with pathologic diagnoses. The surgical pathologist is also the gatekeeper of tissue for therapeutic, research and medical-legal purposes.  Surgical pathologists insure that human tissue and the information derived from it are utilized solely for the well-being of the individual from whom it came, and when appropriate, for the betterment of  humanity and advancement of science,  in accordance with ethical principles, sound research practices and governmental and institutional regulations.

Cytology
Dr. Mark Suhrland, Director
(718) 920-4269

Cytology is the study of individual cells and their environment. These cells may shed spontaneously in fluids, or may be obtained by scraping an epithelial surface or fine needle aspiration of a mass. PAP smears, urine, ascites and fine needle aspirations of the breast, thyroid and lung are examples of the types of specimens analyzed by cytopathologists usually for the diagnosis of infectious or neoplastic (cancerous) diseases.

Hematopathology
Dr. Howard Ratech, Director
(718) 920-7782

Hematopathology is the study of diseases of blood cells. Hematopathologists diagnose reactive and neoplastic diseases of the hematopoietic and lymphoid systems involving blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs. Examples are leukemias and lymphomas. The hematopathologist uses classical microscopic techniques plus adjunct tests such as flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and molecular biology to arrive at the proper diagnosis needed for successful therapy.

Autopsy Pathology
Dr. Jacob J. Steinberg, Director
Dr. Kathleen Whitney, Director
(718) 920-6573

An autopsy (also known as a post-mortem examination or necropsy) is a medical investigation of a deceased family member to determine the cause of death. It is an examination of tissues and organs of the body after death. A special doctor called a pathologist does this. Many times, the autopsy is performed (upon request) to confirm a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Modern autopsies are usually limited in scope and directed towards determining the cause of disease or death when this information is not obvious from physical diagnosis, lab tests or X-ray exams of the patient while living. Its major importance is in informing families whether the deceased patient’s disease is hereditary or contagious.

Neuropathology
Dr. Karen Weidenheim, Director
(718) 920-7037

Neuropathology is the specialized study of the brain, spinal cord, skeletal muscle and peripheral nervous system.  The Neuropathology Division provides diagnostic services for tumors of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves, and for medical diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system including skeletal muscle.   Non-tumor diagnosis includes evaluation of infectious processes, autoimmune disease, vascular disease, genetic diseases, malformations and degenerative and dementing diseases of children and adults seen in the above sites.  Tissue samples may be obtained during neurosurgery, at
biopsy of skeletal muscle or peripheral nerve, or at autopsy.

Immunohistochemistry
Dr. Maomi Li, Director
(718) 920-4976

Immunohistochemistry is an adjunct diagnostic technique to light microscopy that plays a major role in the diagnosis of neoplastic (benign and malignant) proliferation, as well as non-neoplastic diseases. Immunohistochemical staining utilizes an antigen-antibody reaction to identify specific markers in tissue. The Division of Surgical Pathology performs an extensive array of immunostaining using the most current available markers performed on sophisticated automated immunostainers to facilitate the diagnosis of surgically excised tissues.

Dermatopathology
Dr. Mark Jacobson, Director
(718) 920-4976

Dermatopathology is the study of diseases of the skin. Dermatopathologists use histopathologic techniques to diagnose all skin diseases, be they inflammatory( psoriasis, eczema etc.), neoplastic ( nevi , melanoma , basal or squamous cell carcinoma etc.), hamartomatous or depositional. Most diseases are diagnosed through classical microscopy but wherever necessary ancillary studies including immunofluorescence , immunoperoxidase staining and molecular pathology are utilized.  Dermatopathologists are trained in both clinical dermatology and anatomic pathology to provide clinico-pathological insights into complex skin diseases resulting in refined diagnosis and effective patient management.