The nervous system constitutes arguably the most complex organ system in the human body, which contributes to the over-susceptibility of disease in this area. Although brain tumors were once an automatic death sentence, the outlook for recovery has brightened significantly in the past decade. The pathologist plays an indispensable role in surgical diagnosis; he or she must accurately diagnose a potentially wide array of disease entities, determine the spread of disease within millimeters, and assess patient prognosis. This new and modern reference in neuropathology comprehensively covers all the methods used by pathologists to accurately diagnose a wide array of neurologic illnesses. Brain and spinal cord tumors are the predominant focus, but a full spectrum of infectious, inflammatory, and congenital disorders are also covered in detail, in both pediatric and adult populations, with a full range of diagnostic modalities. The book is illustrated with more than 1,200 full-color photomicrographs and accompanied by a CD-ROM of all images in a downloadable format.