Colon
Author:
Mikael Häggström [note 1]
Mostly: |
This article also includes the rectum.
Contents
Presentations
- Colorectal polyp
- Colon ischemia
- Colon for diverticulitis
- Intestine with tumor
- Colitis
- Hemorrhoids
- Stoma and "donuts"
Comprehensiveness
On this resource, the following formatting is used for comprehensiveness:
- Minimal depth
- (Moderate depth)
- ((Comprehensive))
Gross processing
More specific grossing is available for presentations above. For larger specimens (not biopsies):
- Identify segment of colon if possible.
- Measure length, average width and any significant variations thereof.
- Optionally, measure the mesentery.
- Inspect the serosa- look for any perforations, adhesions, fistulas and exudate
- If perforation is present, try to probe it from the serosal surface
- Open longitudinally
- If the specimen is not fixed already, put it in formalin, preferably for a total of 48 hours.[1] Section attached fatty tissue for better fixation.
- Semi-quantitate the number of diverticula – “numerous” or "multiple" if too many to count
- Look for for any mucosal lesions. Note any evidence of inflammation, hemorrhage, abscess, perforation or fistula
- Note the thickness of the wall.
- If a cecal segment does not show an appendix, look in the history for a past appendectomy. If not, put more effort into finding it before reporting it as not found.
- Note any obvious mesenteric lymph nodes. Further information: Lymph nodes
- Sections to submit for microscopy:
- 2 sections of any perforation(s), one section of any intact diverticulum, any mucosal lesions, any obvious lymph nodes.
Gross report
Example:
((A. Labeled - ___. The specimen is received in formalin and consists of))A. Labeled - [
- Check name and DOB - Confirm labeling with req ]. The specimen is received in formalin and consists of a segment of large intestine which measures __ cm in length and __ cm in average diameter. The serosal surface is tan and smooth.
or
((The mesenteric margin is inked red.)) The specimen is opened longitudinally to reveal a smooth mucosa. {{There are multiple diverticula measuring up to __ cm in depth. The rest of}} the mucosa is tan-pink with normal mucosal folds. The lumen is not dilated. The wall measures __ cm in thickness. Within the mesorectum there are __ possible lymph nodes measuring up to __ cm in greatest dimension. [[Sample 4-8 lymph nodes in case of diverticulitis]] (Representative sections are submitted for microscopic examination in __ cassettes.) |
Microscopic evaluation
Screening
In a general screening, look for:
Hyperplasia and/or atypia (colorectal polyp with tubular adenoma pictured)
- Colitis, such as by neutrophilic infiltration
Common incidental findings
Subepithelial lymphoid aggregate, nonspecific, and generally reported as such.[notes 1]
Microscopy report
Example report in an unremarkable biopsy:
(Colon, biopsy:) Colonic mucosa without significant histopathologic changes. |
Example report in a short unremarkable colon segment:
(Colon, segmental colectomy:)
|
In follow-ups of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), add "Negative for colitis or dysplasia" if true.
Notes
- ↑ It is acceptable to not mention a subepithelial lymphoid aggregate at all.
- ↑ 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
Image sources