Specimen Dissection Flashcards
What is specimen dissection?
Selecting tissues from a sample to produce wax blocks, using only the clinically relevant parts.
Describe the basic process of sample dissection
1) Ensure pot and request card etails match.
2) Give sample a uique identifying number.
3) Enter specimen onto LIMS.
4) Decribe, dissect and sample specimen.
What roles does a biomedical scientist perform in specimen dissection?
Assist consultant histopathologist.
Load biopsies (category A).
Dissect non-cancer specimens (categories B, C and D).
Prepare resections for fixation.
Dissect cancer resections (categories D & E).
Describe some precautions taken for health and safety
PPE
Vaccinations
Correct use of knives
Disinfection
Extraction - use specialist extraction tools to emove fumes
Reagents
Ensure all identifiers match.
Never handle more than one specimen at one time.
Clean board and instruments between each specimen.
Describe examples of PPE
Goggles
Lab coat
Plastic apron
Gloves
Fully enclosd leather footware
What are some issues to consider with specimen dissection?
Infection risk specimens:
(TB/HIV/HepB/HepC) - 48 hours fixation
Fresh specimens:
Fixation
Sampling for molecular studies
What are key features of specimen dissection?
Knowledge of anatomy and pathological processes.
Clinical details.
Good descriptions of identifying features.
Demonstrate identifying features & margins in blocks.
What information is on the request form?
Nature of specimen
Surgical procedure
Significance of any orientation
Clinical presentation
Patient history and any test results
What are some key questions to ask yourself?
The kind of specimen it is
Clinical details
If specimen is fixed or fresh
If specimen requires orientation
If specimen requires inking
The way to dissect the specimen
The blocks that need to be taken
The procedures that need to be rquested
Describe ways to aid fixation
Inflating: if specimen has tubes, pipe fixative directly inside specimen by putting a tube through those tubes.
eg. oesophagus, stomach, lung, bladder.
Slicing: increase surface area by slicing it.
eg. breast, uteri, kidney.
Opening: cut specimen open and wash it all out.
eg. bowel specimens.
Why is orientation important?
It is important to know where margins were & report back that margins are clear.
If they are not clear report exactly which area still has tumor.
Anatomical positions are used to describe and understand where things come from within body.
What does RCPath tissue pathways, datasets and proformas desribe?
How a specimen should be submitted and prepared.
What features should be described.
How specimen should be dissected.
What should be sampled.
What procedures and additional tests are required.
How it should be coded.
