title: The London Classification of gastrointestinal neuromuscular pathology: report on behalf of the Gastro 2009 International Working Group.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Guidelines on histopathological techniques and reporting for adult and paediatric gastrointestinal neuromuscular pathology have been produced recently by an international working group (IWG). These addressed the important but relatively neglected areas of histopathological practice of the general pathologist, including suction rectal biopsy and full-thickness intestinal tissue. Recommendations were presented for the indications, safe acquisition of tissue, histological techniques, reporting and referral of such histological material.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consensual processes undertaken by the IWG and following established guideline decision group methodologies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This report presents a contemporary and structured classification of gastrointestinal neuromuscular pathology based on defined histopathological criteria derived from the existing guidelines. In recognition of its origins and first presentation in London at the World Congress of Gastroenterology 2009, this has been named 'The London Classification'. The implementation of this classification should allow some diagnostic standardisation, but should necessarily be viewed as a starting point for future modification as new data become available.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Academic Surgery, Royal London Hospital, London, UK. c.h.knowles@qmul.ac.uk
authors.forename: Charles H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Knowles
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Giorgio
authors.forename: Raj P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Kapur
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bruder
authors.forename: Gianrico
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Farrugia
authors.forename: Karel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Geboes
authors.forename: Greger
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lindberg
authors.forename: Joanne E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Meier-Ruge
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Milla
authors.forename: Virpi V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Jean Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vandervinden
authors.forename: Béla
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Veress
authors.forename: Thilo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wedel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003697:Delphi Technique; D017615:Enteric Nervous System / Q000473:pathology*; D017144:Focus Groups; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D010641:Phenotype