Path. Res. Pract. 166, 1-4 (1979)

Guest Editorial

Erwin Uehlinger On the Occasion of his 80th Birthday, August 8, 1979

One of the chief interest of this renowned Swiss pathologist is bone pathology. His countless papers in the field of bone pathology have attracted worldwide attention; his highly prized specialized knowledge and extensive experience in the area of skeletal diseases have stimulated numerous colleagues to seek his advice up to the present time. His diagnostic pronouncements are in no way restricted to a masterful interpretation of the histologic material, but always embrace the clinical and radiologic aspects of the problem as well and include decisive therapeutic recommendations. In this regard, Erwin Uehlinger substantially surpasses the characteristic diagnostic specialization of the pathologist, and functions rather as an experienced, general physician, who is able to bring together the complex alterations produced by the disease into his diagnosis, and to suggest the possible consequences. Erwin Uehlinger is a passionate clinical pathologist, whose outstanding medical achievements are devoted first and foremost to the care of sick patients. Even in his early years as assistant to Prof. Hans von Meyenburg at the Department of Pathology in Zurich, Erwin Uehlinger came to the realization in his studies with bone diseases that pathologic-morphologic diagnoses could not be successful when considered alone and in isolation, but rather must be made in the context of the entire disease picture. It is the exception in the field 1 Path. Res. Pract. Vol. 166

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of osteology that one man can take into consideration both the clinical and radiologic findings as well as disturbances in mineral metabolism. However, Erwin Uehlinger has developed outstanding expertise in the field of radiology in cooperation with H. R. Schinz, such that he is now one of the most experienced skeletal radiologists. This expertise repeatedly finds its expression in his writings, most especially in his "Textbook of Roentgenologic Diagnosis" (Schinz et al., 1952), for which he is one of the editors and contributors. His tireless creativity is demonstrated by his participation in the newest edition of this important book of radiology, which will soon appear in print. Erwin Uehlinger has always placed great value on close cooperation between clinicians, radiologists, and pathologists. He has repeatedly emphasized this approach as a brilliant speaker at many congresses in various medical disciplines. To this day he is one of the most sought after chairmen for large scientific meetings. On May 3, 1973, under his leadership, the "Study Group for Bone Tumors" was founded at the West German Center for Cancer Research at Heidelberg, West Germany, devoted to interdisciplinary cooperation and concrete applications in the field of bone tumors. This study group brings together scientists from Central Europe (pathologists, surgeons, orthopedists, radiologists, oncologists, epidemiologists) who discuss various problems related to bone tumors and represent the several diagnostic centers for bone tumors. From its founding until 1978, Erwin Uehlinger was president of this study group. The members of this study group have dedicated the following papers to honor and thank Erwin Uehlinger on the occasion of his 80th birthday. * Prof Dr. med. Dr. h. c. Dr. h. c. Erwin Uehlinger is one of the great pathologists and physicians of our time. He was born on August 8, 1899, in Schaffhausen, and studied at the Gymnasium (high school) there until completing his comprehensive examination. After completing his medical studies in Zurich, Lausanne, Munich, and Berlin, he passed his state medical examination in the fall of 1924 in Zurich. In 1925 he completed his Inaugural Dissertation, entitled "On a Case of Diffuse Rhabdomyosarcoma of the Heart". From 1926 until 1940 he was first an Assistant (Resident), then Prosector starting in 1929, at the Department of Pathology of the University of Zurich. In 1933 he completed his Habilitationsschrift (Promotional Dissertation), entitled "On Lymphogranulomatosis of Bone" (Virchows Arch. Path. Anat. 288:36, 1933), and was named Titular Professor in 1939. Between 1940 and 1953 he was Head Physician at the Department of Pathology of the Cantonal Hospital at St. Gallen. In 1953 he was chosen as Ordinary Professor * We wish to thank Prof. Dr. W. Sandritter, the Editor of this journal, for his active support and for graciously making this publication available to us.

Erwin Uehlinger . 3

of general pathology and pathologic anatomy and Director of the Department of Pathology of the University of Zurich. He was active for 44 years in the service of pathology until becoming Emeritus Professor in early 1970. He has continued his scientific and clinico-pathologic work with unremitting enthusiasm and tireless productivity, and remains today a great teacher and inspiration to the younger generation. An extraordinary gift for clinical pathology, a didactic skill with the ability to make lucid formulations (often sprinkled with clever, relevant comments), and a remarkable diligence characterize the career of Erwin Uehlinger. Most of his approximately 350 publications are addressed to clinical problems where the analysis of clinical and morphologic findings has led to the recognition of new clinical entities, many of which bear his name. He has cooperated on 11 monographs and made a substantial contribution to the success of the fourth edition of the "Handbook of Internal Medicine" . Outside of skeletal diseases and the closely related area of calcium metabolism, his areas of interest include tuberculosis (late primary infection) and paraneoplastic syndromes. The remarkable feature of Erwin Uehlinger's accomplishments is that he has cultivated areas of clinical observation in an era which is fascinated by experimental science (Doerr, 1966). In recognition of his outstanding accomplishments, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Heidelberg, West Germany, in 1966 and another honorary doctorate by the University of Munich, West Germany, in 1971. In addition he has been elected to honorary memberships in a variety of medical and scientific societies (Swiss League against Tuberculosis, Swiss Cancer League, German, Austrian, and South German Tuberculosis Societies, German Roentgenologic Society, Physicians' Society of the City of Vienna, Finnish Physicians' Society, Pathology Society of East Germany), and to membership in the "Leopoldina" . The Swiss pathologist Erwin Uehlinger has had an influencefar beyond the boundaries of his homeland, and has trained pupils who emulate his example in neighboring countries, especially in Germany. He has travelled throughout the world in extended tours of study, and in so doing has rounded out his outstanding experiences. As a forthright and sincere human being, he has always placed himself in the service of popular understanding, for which there are no political boundaries. Thus immediately after the last war, he made contact with German physicians, offered his help to German colleagues, and participated in groups devoted to continuing education. Entirely in keeping with this willingness to be helpful to other nations, he has established close cooperation with colleagues in East European countries, and participates in their congresses as a guest and contributor as often as possible. With the following collection of papers, the membership of the "Study Group for Bone Tumors" congratulate their honorary president, Prof. Dr.

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med. Dr. h. c. Dr. h. c. Erwin Uehlinger most heartily on his 80th birthday, and thank him for his initiative and furthermore for his active and valuable cooperation in this Study Group. CLAUS-PETER ADLER, for the membership of the "Study Group for Bone Tumors" W. SANDRITTER, for the editors of Pathology, Research and Practice