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The group of 45 hails from 13 countries on five continents and its mission is to study problems in liver pathology that have an impact on disease definition and nomenclature. Drawing on its comprehensive diverse geographic representation, it has the capacity to establish world-wide consensus on a challenging topic. The group arose from a a project of the International Working Party of the World Congresses of Gastroenterology in 1994 to achieve consensus on nomenclature of early hepatocellular neoplasia. This project continues, with two published documents and a further three in final preparation. New projects include the nomenclature and grading of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. The melding of international minds facilitated by biannual meetings of this group provides an unparalled opportunity to establish a framework for future studies of liver disease.
The meeting in July, seamlessly coordinated by Dr. Wanless in a spirit of international collegiality, was punctuated by a barbeque and Celtic dance held in a renovated barn in Chester Basin. Music for the evening was provided by Canadian favourites Dave MacIsaac, Jimmy Inch, Louis Benoit, Harvey Beaton and Scott Long. As the stirring sounds of Celtic melodies flooded the barn, little time elapsed before all thoughts of liver disease were effectively dissipated in favour of a concentrated focus on jigs and reels by the esteemed international cast of visitors led by renowned dance master Harvey Beaton.
A special aspect of the event was the return of Professor Boris Ruebner to Nova Scotia. Prof. Ruebner, a pathologist of the "path lab" of Victoria General Hospital in the 1950s, is now professor emeritus at the University of California in Davis. He was married in King's College Chapel in 1957 — yes, exactly 50 years ago this September!
He is well known for his textbook Diagnostic Pathology of the Liver and Biliary Tract, published in 1982 and 1991.
In bringing the first evening of the meeting to a close, Dr. Wanless handled the formalities. He captivated his audience with astronomic tales. Stellar not only in the realm of hepatopathology, Dr. Wanless is also a student of the stars. Lured to Nova Scotia from Toronto by the clarity of our evening skies, he indulges his love of astronomy at his home in Chester Basin, while mentally sifting vexing problems of the liver. Rounding out the evening on a galactic note, he charmed the group with the intriguing story of "the music of the spheres," drawing analogies among the concepts of Pythagoras, the resonance of friendships across the globe and the vibrant skills of MacIsaac and Co.
 | Noreen Walsh is a professor in Dalhousie's Department of Pathology and Chief of Service, Division of Anatomical Pathology, CDHA. |