Intro to Surg Path Gross Photography

why are inks used to dye tissue?

To mark important orientation, anatomic landmarks, lesions, and margins

How can ink be adhered better to the tissue?

Dry the surfaces of the specimen before applying ink

Inking procedure:

Apply ink as designated in your gross

Repeatedly dab excess ink from the specimen

(dry again?)

use vinegar as a mordant, allow the vinegar to stand on the ink for 10-15 secs

Allow ink to dry before maing any cuts

Why shouldn’t you cut into the specimen before the ink is dry?

If the ink is not dry, could result in dragging ink to an area it shouldn’t be (false margin)

what must be included in an official gross photograph?

Associated gross evaluation and description

Why would we want to use gross photography?

document interesting gross findings

support publications for research or case studies

Guidelines for gross photography:

Clean background (no blood, fluid, tools)

Centered

Ruler for scale

Patient identifiers/surgical path number

take one picture showing the specimen overall

take a macro photo

Save the photo

What are two options of gross photography equipment?

iphone/digital camera

photograph station, bench

What is the standard rule of sampling a tumor?

1 section per 1 cm, meaning for every 1 cm of tumor, the PA would submit 1 section

If you had a 16 by 14 by 10 cm mass, how many sections would you need to submit?

16 sections of the mass

What are some examples of specimens that would be used for tumor mapping?

Osteosarcoma

Prostate

Breast

vulvectomy