Survival Guide to Thoracic Pathology SG10

Αγαπημένα

Αγαπημένα

Thoracic pathology includes a
variety of specimen types ranging from small biopsies to large resections.
These biopsies may be from the lung, the mediastinum, or the pleura. The
approach to each of these specimen types and sites is somewhat unique;
knowledge of these subtleties is part of the “secret sauce” that enables
an accurate diagnosis in thoracic pathology. Each site and specimen type
is associated with important principles, terminologies, and teaching
points that may be relevant to the diagnosis depending on the scenario.
For example, the work-up for lung cancer in a small biopsy should focus on
preserving tissue to ensure that there is adequate material for molecular
testing, whereas tissue preservation is not typically a concern in a larger resection
specimen. Another example is frozen section specimens. In these samples,
the diagnostic question is often quite different from those that must be
addressed on permanent sections. In this book, we have approached the
diagnosis from the point of view of the pathologist looking at a specific
specimen type. In keeping with this principle, the chapters are organized
by specimen type rather than by disease entity. This approach allows us to
provide the reader with practical insights and advice for the work-up and
diagnosis of various specimen types. As a consequence, some diagnostic
entities appear more than once in the book. We minimize overlap and focus
on relevant details that pertain to making and reporting specific diagnoses in
the context of a specimen type.



This book is divided into 6 chapters that cover
the field of thoracic pathology. In Chapter 1, we discuss small biopsy
specimens, focusing on how to diagnose and report cases in which lesional
tissue may be minimal, and tissue preservation is an important consideration.
In Chapter 2, we provide an approach to reporting thoracic frozen sections. In
Chapter 3, we focus on resection specimens and discuss important considerations
when reporting lung cancer and other mass-forming lesions. In Chapter 4, we provide
a practical approach to non-neoplastic lung diseases that are typically
diagnosed in transbronchial or surgical lung biopsies or are seen in the
background of resection specimens. In Chapter 5, we discuss the approach to
pleural specimens, including mesothelioma and its mimics. Finally, in Chapter
6, we provide tips on how to tackle the immense variety of lesions that
pathologists may encounter in mediastinal specimens.



We keep things simple, describe tips that we use
in our own practices to diagnose cases in real life, explain terminology in
simple language, and avoid an emphasis on esoteric “zebras.” In the few areas
where our approach differs, we have attempted to state those differences. In
keeping with the spirit of the “Survival Guide” series, the focus of this book
is to help you survive!