Gross processing

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Author: Mikael Häggström [note 1]

General notes edit

Further reading:

Following are general notes on selection and trimming in pathology.

Comprehensiveness

Comprehensiveness

On this resource, the following formatting is used for comprehensiveness:

  • Minimal depth
  • (Moderate depth)
  • ((Comprehensive))

Advice

  • Confirm that the patient identity on the specimen container matches the identity that will be applied to the gross description and cassettes.
  • Generally measure estimated volume or 3 dimensions for samples greater than 0.4 cm in greatest dimension.[notes 1]
  • ((Note the color of the sample, even when unremarkable.))[notes 2]
  • Generally, use inking for resection margins where cancer radicality is important.Template:Ink note Excisions made by laser do not need inking on the excision surfaces, since the coagulated surface can be easily identified in the microscope.[1]
  • Black is generally the best ink for both gross identification and microscopy.
  • Blue and green are great for microscopy, but are often messier to apply and can be visually difficult to distinguish from black.
  • Red is most difficult to see under the microscope, and should only be used as a last resort.
  • (Preferably photograph or make a drawing where slices have been taken.)[2]
  • Remove any surgical stitches from samples before microtomy.
  • (At least for larger samples, consider looking for medical imaging or biopsy reports in order to better guide the process.)[3]
  • Generally, strive to make slices perpendicular to visible interfaces of relevant tissues.
  • Generelly dissect and inspect the entire specimen, while keeping relevant parts intact enough for presentation to seniors and/or maintaining orientation.

Notes

  1. Specifying dimensions in 3 dimensions is generally a waste of time for specimens less than 0.4 cm.
  2. The color is generally of little consequence.
  1. For a full list of contributors, see article history. Creators of images are attributed at the image description pages, seen by clicking on the images. See Patholines:Authorship for details.

Main page

References

  1. Monica Dahlgren, Janne Malina, Anna Måsbäck, Otto Ljungberg. Stora utskärningen. KVAST (Swedish Society of Pathology). Retrieved on 2019-09-26.
  2. Monika Roychowdhury. Grossing (histologic sampling) of breast lesions. Pathologyoutlines.com. Topic Completed: 1 August 2012. Revised: 19 September 2019
  3. . Gross Pathology Manual By The University of Chicago Department of Pathology. Updated 2-14-19 NAC.

Image sources