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Dermatopathology

In many cases, our dermatologists can make a clinical diagnosis with confidence without the need for a skin biopsy. Dermatopathology is a subspecialty of dermatology that studies skin disease at a microscopic level. Although many skin diseases can be recognized by their clinical appearance, sometimes a skin biopsy is necessary to secure a diagnosis or to provide more information. This biopsy specimen is then examined under the microscope by a dermatolopathologist who looks at the disease at the cellular level. 

 

Dermatopathology is a consultative service to the referring physician and not simply a laboratory test. An accurate microscopic interpretation of the biopsy is important in the selection of appropriate therapies. One of the greatest challenges of dermatopathology is the high number of different skin diseases. There are an estimated 1500 different rashes and skin tumors, including variants. All biopsies and surgical specimens are sent to laboratories where they are examined by a board-certified dermatopathogist, many of whom are board-certified dermatologists as well.

We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. As you know, we closed our office to all but emergency visits during the initial stage of social distancing to help “flatten the curve.”  Now that Pennsylvania is beginning to reopen, we are offering expanded services.

Although nothing we do can guarantee protection against COVID-19, you will notice some major changes when it is time for your next appointment, in accordance with recommendations from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We ask you to bear with us as we implement these new practices.

  • Screening Questions – Before your visit and when you arrive, our staff will check that you are not experiencing symptoms caused by COVID-19. If you are experiencing those symptoms, we will ask you to schedule a telemedicine visit.
  • Masks – Like all essential businesses in Pennsylvania, we will require each patient and guest to wear a mask over their nose and mouth at all times.
  • Sanitation – We have increased the cleaning of each room between patients and our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, children’s toys, or other items that could transmit viruses.
  • Visitor Limits - To minimize the density of people in our office, only minors and patients with disabilities requiring assistance may be accompanied by a support person.
  • Social Distancing – Six-feet distances are marked in our waiting room. Please follow these boundaries or, if we are not able to bring you to an exam room immediately after you check-in at our front desk, you may wait in your car for a text when a room is ready.
  • Hand Sanitizer - We will have sanitizer available for your use and ask you to sanitize your hands when you enter the office and as needed throughout your visit.
  • Fewer Appointments – We will be seeing fewer patients to reduce the number of people in our office at one time. This will result in fewer scheduling options, but please know we are committed to being there if you need us. Our staff will work with you to provide access.
  • Telemedicine – We will continue to offer telemedicine visits for any appropriate conditions, including screening visits if you are not sure whether you need to come in. We recommend telemedicine for high-risk patients, and for selected follow up visits.

Thank you for being our patient. We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we are taking to keep you safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at 215-947-7500.

Pennsylvania Dermatology Group