For a distinguished example of explanatory reporting that illuminates a significant and complex subject, demonstrating mastery of the subject, lucid writing and clear presentation, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to Kevin Helliker and Thomas M. Burton of The Wall Street Journal for their groundbreaking examination of aneurysms, an often overlooked medical condition that kills thousands of Americans each year.

Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger (left) presents Kevin Helliker (center) and Thomas M. Burton with the 2004 Pulitzer Prize in Explanatory Reporting.

Finalists

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: Erika Niedowski of The Baltimore Sun for her illuminating account of how one of America's best hospitals let an infant die of a preventable condition and how the devastated mother joined with the hospital to spare other families such heartache, and Bernard Wolfson, William Heisel and Chris Knap of The Orange County Register for their ambitious exploration of the quality of care at 26 local hospitals and the creation of a "report card" to help consumers make medical decisions.