Editors
2013
The idea for the atlas arose from a need made apparent by frequent questions from students and residents. It is not uncommon for diseases to present with abnormalities in more than one organ system. Depending on which organ system is most involved, symptoms may point in a particular direction. Such conditions often present with bewildering signs and symptoms, however, that initially appear to be unrelated, but are actually manifestations of the same condition. There are perhaps few fields in which this is more true than in gastroenterology and dermatology. The purpose was to produce an atlas that will provide a comprehensive compendium of digestive tract diseases with dermatological manifestations. The book is arranged by digestive symptoms, with sections based on the specific digestive disease etiology. Each section will contain paired subsections of text, one on gastrointestinal manifestations and the other on dermatological manifestations. Text will include clinical presentations, pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, diagnostic tests/procedures, pathology, and references. We think this text will provide an important resource for the dermatologist, gastroenterologist, or internist struggling with what appear to be unrelated digestive and skin complaints. Hopefully, it will also stimulate investigation into the pathogenetic mechanisms that are responsible for the involvement of the two organ systems.