Critical values

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Critical values is a concept which comes to anatomical pathology from clinical pathology.[1]

In the context of surgical pathology, it is, perhaps more appropriately, called critical diagnosis.

The general consensus is that these findings require a phone call and/or discussion with the clinician to ensure the situation is managed appropriately in a timely manner.[2]

List of critical diagnoses

Cytology

Critical diagnoses as per Pereira et al.:[2]

  • Unexpected malignancy - vast majority of cases.
  • Microorganisms in non-gynecologic specimens and FNA specimens.

Surgical pathology

The following is primarily constructed from a list in Pereira et al.[3]

General

  • Large vessel in core biopsy specimen.
  • Unexpected malignant diagnosis.
  • Malignant diagnosis in the context of a medical emergency:
    • Neoplasm causing paralysis.
    • Malignancy causing superior vena cava syndrome.

Gynecologic

Diagnostic of infection

  • Fungal.
  • Microbacterial.
  • Bacterial.
  • Viral.

Suggestive of infection

Cardiac

  • Mesothelial cells in heart muscle biopsy.

Transplant related

  • Transplant rejection.

Medical diseases

Renal

See also

References

  1. Allen TC (May 2007). "Critical values in anatomic pathology?". Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med. 131 (5): 684–7. PMID 17491125. http://arpa.allenpress.com/arpaonline/?request=get-document&issn=0003-9985&volume=131&issue=5&page=684.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Pereira, TC.; Clayton, AC.; Tazelaar, HD.; Liu, Y.; Leon, M.; Silverman, JF. (Jun 2006). "Critical values in cytology.". Diagn Cytopathol 34 (6): 447-51. doi:10.1002/dc.20443. PMID 16680772.
  3. Pereira, TC.; Liu, Y.; Silverman, JF. (Aug 2004). "Critical values in surgical pathology.". Am J Clin Pathol 122 (2): 201-5. doi:10.1309/7NRW-7G68-4VEP-WPMR. PMID 15323136.