Gross pathology

From Libre Pathology
Revision as of 01:36, 23 September 2014 by Michael (talk | contribs) (→‎How to gross)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
A kidney tumour (renal oncocytoma) at the time of grossing.

Gross pathology, also simply gross, refers to the macroscopic pathology, and the macroscopic assessment of pathology specimens. It may include preparation of tissue for a microscopic examination. It is an essential part of pathologic assessments.

The process of cutting up specimens is known as grossing (North American term), cut-up or macroscopic cut-up (Australian term).

Specimen opening

Usually referred to simply as opening.
May go by the term freshing.
  • The first part of a gross pathologic assessment.

Components

  1. Orient the specimen.
  2. Paint with ink - if applicable.
    • A good general rule is: ink before you think.
  3. Cut open for fixation - if not immediately blocked.
  4. +/-Weigh.
  5. +/-Insert paper towels in the cuts (book marking) for fixation.

Principles of grossing

This article is discusses generalities in grossing.

Gross only

Gross only specimens are examined only at the grossing bench; no microscopy is done. Which specimens are considered "gross only" typically depends on institutional policy.[1]

Common gross only specimens

How to gross

Specimen Subspeciality
Abdominal pannus grossing Dermatopathology
Aortic valve grossing Cardiovascular pathology
Cystoprostatectomy Genitourinary pathology
Femoral head grossing Soft tissue pathology
Knee replacement specimen grossing Soft tissue pathology
Mitral valve grossing Cardiovascular pathology
Orchiectomy Genitourinary pathology
Partial colectomy for diverticular disease Gastrointestinal pathology
Partial cystectomy Genitourinary pathology
Partial nephrectomy Genitourinary pathology
Penectomy Genitourinary pathology
Prostate biopsy Genitourinary pathology
Prostate chips Genitourinary pathology
Radical cystectomy Genitourinary pathology
Radical prostatectomy Genitourinary pathology
Total nephrectomy for tumour Genitourinary pathology

Gross pathology spot diagnoses

This is a long list of things that can be identified with a reasonable certainty on gross.

See also

References

  1. Zarbo, RJ.; Nakhleh, RE. (Feb 1999). "Surgical pathology specimens for gross examination only and exempt from submission: a College of American Pathologists Q-Probes study of current policies in 413 institutions.". Arch Pathol Lab Med 123 (2): 133-9. doi:10.1043/0003-9985(1999)1230133:SPSFGE2.0.CO;2. PMID 10050786.

External links