The neuropathology subspecialty division of Hospital Pathology Associates deals with diseases of the brain, spinal cord, muscles and nerves. It consists of one board-certified neuropathologist, Dr. William McDonald. Dr. McDonald is a member of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Neuropathology Committee and an active member of the American Association of Neuropathologists. Dr. McDonald co-authored CAP guidelines for diffuse glioma testing, published in 2022.
The emphasis of this division is on brain and spinal cord tumor care. The guiding philosophy of the neuropathology subspecialty division is that every neuroscience patient deserves optimal, evidence-based care. Working closely with partners in Allina Health Laboratories, we provide basic tests of tumors using immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization and next generation sequencing. When optimal tools are not available locally, we build our own, for instance, using machine learning to assemble immunohistochemical panels for pituitary tumor diagnosis, or we collaborate with other institutions. Brain tumor next generation sequencing or chromosome copy number testing is forwarded to partners at multiple cutting-edge laboratories; methylation profiling is currently performed by collaborators at the National Institute of Health, one of only a handful of sites to offer this testing. The neuropathology division also performs research in brain and pituitary tumor classification, machine learning applications in pathology and digital microscopy.
