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"
Gross processing
More specific grossing is available for presentations above. For larger specimens (not biopsies):
- Identify segment of colon
- Measure length and variations in width
- 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]
- Semi-quantitate the number of diverticula – “numerous” 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
- Note any obvious mesenterial 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.
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:
Colonic mucosa, negative for significant histopathologic changes. |
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