The photocopier: an overlooked tool in surgical pathology.

Pictorial representation of gross pathological specimens aids interpretation of many specimens in surgical pathology. The availability of such images is invaluable to subsequent review of material. Line diagrams are subjective and imprecise. Photographic recording of specimens is expensive, particularly if an instant image is required. A completely enclosed technique in which a plain paper photocopier is used to record images of gross pathological specimens is described together with appropriate applications in surgical pathology. The photocopier represents an inexpensive, rapid and reliable method of producing an acceptable permanent record of many gross specimens.