Patholines:Editorial guidelines: Difference between revisions

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==Content==
==Content==
'''Target audience''': The text should be written to be understood by a medical school graduate with corresponding pathology knowledge. It should be '''concise''', so that a pathologist (or graduate training to become a pathologist) at work can quickly find the information of interest. For example, do not state what the reader most definitely already knows. Also, limit the content to what should be done at each step, and limit the underlying theory thereof to the most essential, such as an overview chart of etiologies and their incidences in [[Dark_skin_focalities#Microscopic_evaluation|Dark skin focalities]].<ref name="elsewhere" group="notes">Patholines presumes that additional underlying theory can generally be readily found elsewhere.</ref>  
'''Target audience''': The text should be written to be understood by a recent medical school graduate with corresponding pathology knowledge. It should be '''concise''', so that a pathologist (or graduate training to become a pathologist) at work can quickly find the information of interest. For example, do not state what the reader most definitely already knows. Also, limit the content to what should be done at each step, and limit the underlying theory thereof to the most essential, such as an overview chart of etiologies and their incidences in [[Dark_skin_focalities#Microscopic_evaluation|Dark skin focalities]].<ref name="elsewhere" group="notes">Patholines presumes that additional underlying theory can generally be readily found elsewhere.</ref>  


The organization of gross and microscopic examinations must be '''finding-based''' rather than diagnosis-based (as in form example [[Kidney autopsy#Microscopic evaluation]]). It must be assumed that the readers do ''not know the names'' for the pathologic findings at hand, ''nor which conditions'' are causing them when needing to use Patholines in the situation at hand, trying to find their way through the inter-article structure of Patholines (described in next section).  
Content must be '''relevant''' to a pathology practitioner. Every entry must directly tell the reader what to do in a certain situation, or contain the most relevant information that is needed for a such entry.


Text can be written in '''imperative''' format where appropriate, such as "Look at..." or "Avoid...".
The organization of articles, as well as gross and microscopic examinations within articles, must be '''finding-based''' rather than diagnosis-based (as in form example [[Kidney autopsy#Microscopic evaluation]]), since it is oriented towards readers who presumably have a case at hand where they don't yet know the diagnosis. It should also be assumed that the readers do ''not know the names'' for the pathologic findings at hand, ''nor which conditions'' are causing them when needing to use Patholines in the situation at hand. Thus, findings should be given by images, followed by how to integrate their absence or presence to point toward the most likely diagnosis or differential diagnoses.
 
Text should be written in '''imperative''' format whenever possible, such as "Look at..." or "Avoid...", rather than stating facts.


The '''ambition''' should be what is acceptable for a general pathologist without sub-specialization to perform. More detailed evaluations or procedures should be noted (such as "Optionally" or by distinguishing "An acceptable approach..." from "A more comprehensive approach". Such material can also be linked to separate articles, whose title can contain "Beyond the acceptable". Similarly, reports can be of various comprehensiveness (see for example [[Autopsy]]).
The '''ambition''' should be what is acceptable for a general pathologist without sub-specialization to perform. More detailed evaluations or procedures should be noted (such as "Optionally" or by distinguishing "An acceptable approach..." from "A more comprehensive approach". Such material can also be linked to separate articles, whose title can contain "Beyond the acceptable". Similarly, reports can be of various comprehensiveness (see for example [[Autopsy]]).
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There may be variations in the level structure, such as additional levels between the ones above, or articles about diseases in specific locations or by a specific modality.
There may be variations in the level structure, such as additional levels between the ones above, or articles about diseases in specific locations or by a specific modality. However, Patholines should as much as possible be presentation-based, so that users can learn how to favor or disprove the differential diagnoses of the presentations they see.


By linking to further information in other articles, each article should be kept short enough to be read conveniently for a pathologist working with the subject at hand.
By linking to further information in other articles, each article should be kept short enough to be read conveniently for a pathologist working with the subject at hand.
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Structuring into these levels require more extensive work for more systemic diseases. [[Adenocarcinoma]], for example, must be included in articles of multiple locations. It is the responsibility of the creator of such a disease article to add it to all locations where it is well known to be relevant. It may therefore be more simple to start with for example [[Lung adenocarcinoma]], which only needs linking from [[Lung tumor]].
Structuring into these levels require more extensive work for more systemic diseases. [[Adenocarcinoma]], for example, must be included in articles of multiple locations. It is the responsibility of the creator of such a disease article to add it to all locations where it is well known to be relevant. It may therefore be more simple to start with for example [[Lung adenocarcinoma]], which only needs linking from [[Lung tumor]].


An author wanting to upload a case must therefore make sure that there is at least a short article about the condition in general, for example a general article about [[Adenocarcinoma]] when wanting to upload images of an unusual presentation of it.
An author wanting to upload for example a case image must therefore make sure that there is at least a short article about the condition in general, for example a general article about [[Adenocarcinoma]] when wanting to upload images of an unusual presentation of it.


===Forking===
===Forking===
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==No plain lists of causes==
==No plain lists of causes==
No disease or other condition should be mentioned without realistic clues for reaching it. Thus, when linking to a condition from the previous level in the sequence, it must not be done by including it in a plain list of causes. Rather, it must be integrated so that it is clear ''how'' it is different from other conditions. It can be done in prose and/or a table.
No disease or other condition should be mentioned without realistic clues for reaching it. Thus, when linking to a condition from the previous level in the sequence, it must not be done by including it in a plain list of causes. Rather, it must be integrated so that it is clear ''how'' it is different from other conditions. It is preferably done by a gallery (such as {{tl|Squamous-cell like skin proliferations - differential diagnosis}} (in this case a [[Patholines:Editorial_guidelines#Templates|Template (see below)]] that is used in multiple articles). It may also be done in prose and/or a table.


At least the most common causes should be mentioned in such differentials.
At least the most common causes should be mentioned in such differentials.
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It is acceptable to perform automated maintenance tasks, such as making terminology or organization more consistent, but it should be done with care, because an unusual layout or wording may be better for certain conditions.
It is acceptable to perform automated maintenance tasks, such as making terminology or organization more consistent, but it should be done with care, because an unusual layout or wording may be better for certain conditions.


Patholines uses [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Categories Categories] for scrolling among less common diseases. However, categories are not a replacement for articles that describe, summarize and distinguish related topics.
Patholines can sort articles into [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Categories Categories] for scrolling among less common diseases. However, the use of categories is not a replacement for articles that describe, summarize and distinguish related topics by prose.


==Images==
==Images==
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*See [[#Cases]] below for case-related guidelines.
*See [[#Cases]] below for case-related guidelines.


[[File:Melanoma.jpg|thumb|150px|Image description.]]
[[File:Histopathology of ovarian serous borderline tumor.jpg|thumb|350px|Image description.]]
Images can be added in articles by clicking the "Edit" tab at top and then "Insert" and "Media". In source code, images are added to the right in the text by the following code for an example file "File:Melanoma.jpg":<br>
Images can be '''added''' in articles by clicking the "Edit" tab at top and then "Insert" and "Media". In source code, images are added to the right in the text by the following code for an example file "File:Histopathology of ovarian serous borderline tumor.jpg":<br>
<nowiki>[[File:Melanoma.jpg|thumb|150px|Image description.]]</nowiki>
<nowiki>[[File:Histopathology of ovarian serous borderline tumor.jpg|thumb|350px|Image description.]]</nowiki>
 
Images should be large enough in articles to clearly '''show''' their relevant findings, even without clicking on them to see larger versions. Findings are preferably '''labeled''' within images as shown, since the purpose is to teach them to people who don't know them yet, so they may not even know what part of the image to look at. For better flow, '''avoid repeating''' such findings in the image caption or in the article prose. If possible, do not use '''(Fig. 1)''' in the text and a separate figure elsewhere, but rather have it as a gallery directly following the related text (see [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Gallery_tag the "''Help:Gallery tag''" page in Wikipedia] for formatting), such as this segment of [[Brain autopsy]]:
{|class="wikitable"
| '''Infarction'''<br>Attempt to estimate the '''age''' of any infarct. Also look at '''blood vessels''' for thrombus or stenosis.
<gallery mode=packed heights=170>
File:Histopathology of thalamus infarction at approximately 24 hours, low magnification, annotated.jpg|On low-power, look for areas of edema, as pale areas that do not conform to anatomic borders. This case is at approximately 24 hours.
File:Histopathology of thalamus infarction at approximately 24 hours, high magnification, annotated.jpg|thumb|If found, or if there is clinical suspicion of infarction in the area, look at high magnification in the pale areas for signs of infarction: The neurons become hypereosinophilic and there is an infiltrate of neutrophils. There is slight edema and loss of normal architecture in the surrounding neuropil.
</gallery>
|}
Similarly, preferably avoid sequencing of images into '''"a, b, c, etc"'''. If a caption needs to say more than "upper right" or similar, then make it a separate image and give it a separate caption.
 
The '''image description''' should mention the purpose or relevance of each mentioned finding (such as "Typical features of the condition are as follows:").


For more rendering alternatives, see [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Images Mediawiki:Help:Images]
For more rendering alternatives, see [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Images Mediawiki:Help:Images]
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Sections to generally '''avoid''':
Sections to generally '''avoid''':
*'''Anatomy''' or '''histology''' sections should generally not be used, because any relevant anatomy should be integrated into its context in other sections.
*'''Anatomy''' or '''histology''' sections should generally not be used, because any relevant anatomy should be integrated into its context in other sections. For example, normal hair follicles are mentioned among the [[Basal-cell carcinoma#Differential diagnoses|differential diagnoses of basal-cell carcinoma]]. Rare exceptions are specimen types where normal histology should generally be reported, such as [[Cervical biopsy|cervical biopsies]] and [[Endometrial curettage|endometrial curettages]].
*'''Indications for biopsy''' or '''Treatment''', unless generally performed by pathologists themselves. Otherwise, information about treatment is only relevant if being written together with how it affects the way to plan, evaluate or report on the imaging.<ref name="elsewhere" group="notes"/>
*'''Indications for biopsy''' or '''Treatment''', unless generally performed by pathologists themselves. Otherwise, information about treatment is only relevant if being written together with how it affects the way to plan, evaluate or report on the imaging.<ref name="elsewhere" group="notes"/>
*Section headers without content, where section content should be added right away, or the header be removed.
*Section headers without content, where section content should be added right away, or the header be removed.
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::This section may contain a subsection titled '''Most common direct requests''', which can include diagnoses, such as [[Skin]] mentioning [[Melanoma of the skin]].
::This section may contain a subsection titled '''Most common direct requests''', which can include diagnoses, such as [[Skin]] mentioning [[Melanoma of the skin]].
*'''Gross processing'''
*'''Gross processing'''
:*'''Triage''', when the specimen type often comes fresh. This describes procedures done until the specimen is put in formalin for later grossing.
:*'''Basic gross examination''', basic evaluation assuming that no pathology is present, leaving procedures for specific presentations or diseases to be described in their individual articles instead.
:*'''Basic gross examination''', basic evaluation assuming that no pathology is present, leaving procedures for specific presentations or diseases to be described in their individual articles instead.
:*'''Tissue selection''', generally including necessary slices or other samples that are sent for further processing, in order to make a basic screening. This section may also include guidelines for additional cuts and trimming that are often useful, and can then be titled '''Tissue selection and trimming'''.  
:*'''Tissue selection''', generally including necessary slices or other samples that are sent for further processing, in order to make a basic screening. This section may also include guidelines for additional cuts and trimming that are often useful, and can then be titled '''Tissue selection and trimming'''.  
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:*'''Tissue selection (and trimming)''', which likewise can use a template, followed by additional aspects and techniques.
:*'''Tissue selection (and trimming)''', which likewise can use a template, followed by additional aspects and techniques.
:*'''Gross report''', including at least the most essential aspects that need to be commented on.
:*'''Gross report''', including at least the most essential aspects that need to be commented on.
*'''Staining''', including orders for further processing before microscopy evaluation, including for example immunohistochemistry.
*'''Staining''', including orders for further processing even before microscopy evaluation, including for example immunohistochemistry, if it should be different or complementary to H&E stain.
*'''Microscopic evaluation''' (can also be called '''Histopathologic evaluation'''), which should minimally include a gallery of the most important and/or common diagnoses. Eventually, articles should include a systematic approach to the evaluation, including what areas and findings to look for, and how to interpret them, such as in [[Kidney autopsy]].
*'''Microscopic evaluation''' (can also be called '''Histopathologic evaluation'''), which should minimally include a gallery of the most important and/or common diagnoses. Eventually, articles should include a systematic approach to the evaluation, including what areas and findings to look for, and how to interpret them, such as in [[Kidney autopsy]].
:*'''Microscopy/Histopathology report'''
:*'''Microscopy/Histopathology report'''
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:*'''Gross report''', as in Presentation articles
:*'''Gross report''', as in Presentation articles
*'''Microscopic/Histopathologic evaluation''', preferably including:
*'''Microscopic/Histopathologic evaluation''', preferably including:
:*'''Characteristics/Microscopic characteristics''' such as diagnostic criteria
:*'''Characteristics/Microscopic characteristics''' such as diagnostic criteria. For features not seen in the vast majority of cases with the diagnosis of interest, note whether they are specific, or which conditions they help rule out (rather than just mentioning that the condition "sometimes displays" the feature).
::*'''Variants''', in case the condition has notable different appearances.
::*'''Variants''', in case the condition has notable different appearances.
:*'''Differential diagnoses''', including how to distinguish it from at least the most common and/or important differential diagnoses. There should be no plain list of differential diagnoses (see [[#No plain lists of causes|the section ''No plain lists of causes'']] below).
:*'''Differential diagnoses''', including how to distinguish it from at least the most common and/or important differential diagnoses. There should be no plain list of differential diagnoses (see [[#No plain lists of causes|the section ''No plain lists of causes'']] below). More detailed descriptions of overlapping cases can be described in a template that appears in the main articles of both, such as {{tl|Overlap of squamous-cell and basal-cell carcinoma}}, or as a separate article, such as [[Follicular lymphoma versus reactive follicular hyperplasia]].
::*Any mention of '''immunohistochemistry''' staining should include the conditions that stain helps to indicate. ''Example: [[Lobular carcinoma in situ#Microscopic evaluation|Lobular carcinoma in situ]]''
:*'''Main clinical clues''', such as most common patient age, to help in evaluating the likelihood of the given diagnosis. This should be included ''after'' microscopic characteristics, because it becomes pathologically helpful only if microscopy does not give a definite diagnosis already.
:*'''Main clinical clues''', such as most common patient age, to help in evaluating the likelihood of the given diagnosis. This should be included ''after'' microscopic characteristics, because it becomes pathologically helpful only if microscopy does not give a definite diagnosis already.
:*'''Further workup''' once the diagnosis is established, which depending on the disease may include:
:*'''Further workup''' once the diagnosis is established, which depending on the disease may include:
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::*'''Degree of differentiation'''
::*'''Degree of differentiation'''
::*'''Further subtyping''' if relevant. At least when being an addition to the ''Variants'' section, it should only include clinically relevant subtyping.
::*'''Further subtyping''' if relevant. At least when being an addition to the ''Variants'' section, it should only include clinically relevant subtyping.
:*'''Microscopy/Histopathology report'''
:*'''Microscopy report'''
::*Important '''items''' to mention
::*A modifiable '''template''' for a report
:::Including a template for a '''synoptic report''' if relevant. ''Example: [[Urothelial carcinoma#Microscopy report]]''
::*Example report
*'''Re-excisions''' may have a separate section as in [[Squamous-cell carcinoma of the skin]]
*'''Re-excisions''' may have a separate section as in [[Squamous-cell carcinoma of the skin]]


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*'''Presentations''', linking to relevant articles where the finding is relevant, such as [[Myocardial fibrosis]] being a potential finding in [[Heart]], [[Heart autopsy|autopsy thereof]] and/or [[autopsy of myocardial infarction]].
*'''Presentations''', linking to relevant articles where the finding is relevant, such as [[Myocardial fibrosis]] being a potential finding in [[Heart]], [[Heart autopsy|autopsy thereof]] and/or [[autopsy of myocardial infarction]].
*'''Microscopic/Histopathologic evaluation''', as per diagnosis articles above.
*'''Microscopic/Histopathologic evaluation''', as per diagnosis articles above.
==Questions==
Preferably add one or more questions at the end of articles so that readers can test themselves on memorization-worthy content. Present a possible real life situation, as well as all pertinent information that you can readily look up before needing to answer the question, so to ensure that it tests you memorization-worthy knowledge (see [[Learning pathology]]).
==Genetics==
Do not add genetic test results such as mutations without describing in what situations you would order genetic tests in the first place.


==Cases==
==Cases==
Case descriptions should be written entirely in the description page of the uploaded image. The following data are preferable:
Case descriptions should be written entirely in the description page of the uploaded image. The following data are preferable:
*'''Consent note''', for example "Verbal consent"
*'''Consent note''', for example "Verbal consent", or, if applicable:
:*"Consent from the patient or patient's relatives is regarded as redundant, because of absence of identifiable features ([https://research.ucr.edu/ori/committees/irb-clin/hipaa/hipaa-phi-identifiers List of HIPAA identifiers]) in the media and case information ([https://research.ucr.edu/media/34266/hipaa_case_reports.pdf See also HIPAA case reports guidance])."
*'''Diagnostic certainty''', from "Possible", "Probable", "Almost certain" to "Certain", or "Not applicable"
*'''Diagnostic certainty''', from "Possible", "Probable", "Almost certain" to "Certain", or "Not applicable"
*Patient '''age'''
*If patient consent: '''Age''', '''sex''' and '''history''' and/or '''symptoms'''
*Patient '''sex'''
*Patient '''history''' and/or '''symptoms'''
*'''Findings''' in the image
*'''Findings''' in the image


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In source code editing, the above may be added by copy-pasting the following text:
In source code editing, the above may be added by copy-pasting the following text:
*<code><nowiki>Welcome to Patholines! I have received your submitted form, and I have now added you as an editor of Patholines. You will find more information on how to contribute at [[Patholines:Contribute]]. I have also added you at [[Patholines:About#Editors]]. You are welcome to add more details about yourself there, as well as at your user page (see [[Patholines:Editorial guidelines#User_page]]). Feel free to ask me if you have any further questions. Again, welcome! ~~~~</nowiki></code>
*<code><nowiki>Welcome to Patholines! I have received your submitted form, and I have now added you as an editor of Patholines. You will find more information on how to contribute at [[Patholines:Contribute]]. I have also added you at [[Patholines:About#Editors]]. You are welcome to add more details about yourself there, as well as at your user page (see [[Patholines:Editorial guidelines#User_page]]). Feel free to ask me if you have any further questions. Again, welcome! ~~~~</nowiki></code>
==Board questions==
One or more questions and answers related to the article content may be added in section near the bottom of the article. Questions should preferably relate to information that may not conveniently and/or timely be looked up when needed in practice, such as by emergency (for example [[lung wedge resection and lobectomy]] which often appears as intraoperative consultation) or complexity. In practice, there is limited reason to memorize the rest of the field of pathology for a pathologist who has experience in where to find needed information in reliable sources.<ref group=notes>Examples of items that hence do not need memorization include chromosome numbers of genes and their proteins.
</ref>


==See also==
==See also==