In this highly anticipated session, Clay J. Cockerell, MD, MBA, provided the audience with tips and updates from the world of dermatopathology. Starting with dysplastic nevi, Dr Cockerell reiterated a previously published call for change to the currently accepted 3-tiered grading of dysplastic nevi instead of “mild,” “moderate,” and “severe.” Due to poor inter-rater concordance on what is a “moderately dysplastic nevus,” Dr Cockerell recommended using a “low-grade” and “high-grade” system to simplify management decisions for clinicians. Severely dysplastic nevi are often true melanomas and should be treated with conservative re-excision. Dr Cockerell also reminded listeners that nevi in special sites can have atypical features but often do not represent true dysplastic nevi and that the threshold to diagnose a malignant melanoma in special sites should be higher. New techniques are available to help diagnose melanoma, such as gene expression profiling. These tests should be used with caution as they are easy to overinterpret. 
 
Later, Dr Cockerell presented some interesting clinicopathologic cases, highlighting important pearls on Wong-type dermatomyositis and invasive aspergillosis, among others.  

Changing topics, Dr Cockerell educated the audience on the history of and legal implications of starting a trust. A trust may be chosen over a will for estate planning purposes. Benefits of trusts include avoiding probate court and ensuring privacy is maintained since a trust is not subject to probate and cannot be contested. Trusts can also include incapacity provisions allowing them to be used prior to death. Dr Cockerell encouraged the audience to check with estate planning attorneys to discuss further. To conclude, Dr Cockerell touched on how clinicians can improve diagnostic accuracy and implored those listening to be accurate and thorough on requisition forms; he also highlighted how helpful clinical photos can be when submitted with biopsy specimens.