Day DW, Jass JR, Price AB, Shepherd NA, Sloan JM, Talbot IC, Warren BF and Williams GT:

Morson and Dawson's Gastrointestinal Pathology (4th ed), 692 pp, Oxford, Blackwell Science, UK, 2003 ($250).

This is the fourth edition of the leading British textbook of gastrointestinal pathology. In the present form it combines a well-organized structure with systematic approach to provide comprehensive coverage of the gastrointestinal pathology as seen by practicing pathologists. The text is well written, the references current and the photographs of high quality. Many of the photographs are in color. Classic pathology is supplemented with data obtained by cutting-edge diagnostic technology, but the strength of the book is still its clinical orientation.

The material covering all the major clinicopathologic entities is divided into seven chapters. In this new edition, some sections are completely rewritten (eg gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and gastric neoplasia) and many others have been extensively modified. In each chapter, the authors approach the topics in a standardized, systematic manner. Each chapter begins with a description of normal anatomy, embryology, fetal development and development abnormalities, and then covers both non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions. The key aspects of macroscopic and microscopic diagnosis are well listed and discussed. The differential diagnosis is always included and often presented in tabular form. A large number of color illustrations with a concise legend have been included for the first time in this new edition. The pathogenesis of some common disease is extensively discussed in terms of new data and current concepts, including molecular mechanisms. When dealing with infectious diseases the authors also address the basic microbiology. There are also good correlations between clinical manifestations, endoscopic findings and pathologic aspects of many diseases. Such integration is particularly helpful for the pathologists trying to properly communicate their findings to the clinicians. On the other hand, the gastroenterologists reading this book could learn to appreciate better the terminology used by their pathology colleagues.

Although most illustrations are excellent, a few color microscopic photographs could be improved in the next edition. One gross picture (Fig. 14.1) representing a tubulovillous adenoma of the stomach, has been reproduced in a subsequent chapter and marked as hyperplastic polyps—a mistake that can be easily corrected.

In summary, the Morson and Dawson's classical text on gastrointestinal pathology has been nicely revised and updated. It is a well illustrated, well written, succinct and informative book that successfully integrates current clinical and pathological knowledge, new data with the classical findings. Even though written primarily for pathologists, it will be useful to gastroenterologists and other health care professionals interested in alimentary diseases.