Abstract
Mahler, B., Brix, A., Ward, J. Maronpot, R. A Digitized Atlas of Mouse Liver Lesions. Version 3 (CD-ROM), Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, National Toxicology Program, 2004. Distributed by NIEHS, NTP. Free of charge.
Brix, A., Ward, J., Mahler, B., and Maronpot, R. A Digitized Atlas of Rat Liver Lesions. Version 1 (CD-ROM), Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, National Toxicology Program, 2004. Distributed by NIEHS, NTP. Free of Charge.
This work consists of a 2 CD set containing digital images of liver and biliary tract from rats and mice, depicting many different lesions as well as normal tissues. Most images are micrographs, often showing low and high magnifications, while a few images are of gross specimens. The collection is well-suited for use by pathologists in training who will benefit from familiarization with the appearance of representative microscopic findings in rodent liver, but also would serve as a useful reference to experienced pathologists who may infrequently if ever encounter the range of lesions included in these volumes.
Each CD is organized into a table of contents that includes these categories: normal, congenital, degenerative, necrotic/inflammatory/vascular, hyperplastic/neoplastic, toxic, and miscellaneous. The mouse CD also includes categories for gall bladder and genetically modified mice. Each of the categories is quickly navigated with both Windows and Mac OS platforms. The images could be easily copied as jpg files using Windows, although not readily so with Mac OS. The illustrations are excellent and the captions, while limited, accompany both the thumbnails and the actual images. The CDs generally lack background information or references, so that the user can expect to need other reviews, books, or primary literature to supply this.
Overall this work will be a useful resource for pathologists interested in diagnosis of rodent liver lesions. One minor deficiency is the lack of any reference to the diagnostic nomenclature being employed, so that the user may need to transpose the terms into an easily referenced system. Otherwise, this publication represents a valuable addition any pathologist interested in rodent liver.