Surgical Pathology Specimen Examination

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Which method is NOT suitable for specimen collection in surgical pathology?

Excisional biopsy
Cytology brush sampling (correct)
Shave biopsy
Fine needle aspiration

What is the primary purpose of a frozen section in surgical pathology?

To determine if a mass is malignant or not quickly (correct)
To conduct a meticulous microscopic examination
To perform a detailed gross examination
To obtain tissue fixation

Which characteristic best describes the process of gross examination in surgical pathology?

It aims to determine molecular changes in the tissue
It includes tissue fixation using formalin
It focuses on observing tissues without magnification (correct)
It involves detailed cell analysis under a microscope

Which factor is a disadvantage of using formalin for tissue fixation in surgical pathology?

It impedes subsequent immunohistochemical staining (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of performing a frozen section?

To assess if a lesion is benign or malignant (D) Signup and view all the answers

In surgical pathology, which type of mass is generally considered least suitable for frozen sectioning?

Kidney mass (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended size of tissue specimens for a frozen section?

Less than 1cm (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of microscopic examination in surgical pathology?

To identify cellular abnormalities at a cellular level (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the procedure used to create thin sections for frozen sections?

Freezing in liquid nitrogen (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why are thyroid tissues considered inappropriate for frozen section analysis?

Thyroid follicular lesions are difficult to differentiate between benign and malignant (A) Signup and view all the answers

When are sentinel lymph nodes typically assessed during a frozen section?

To check for metastatic involvement in breast carcinoma (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between a frozen section and a permanent section?

Frozen sections are performed intraoperatively while permanent sections are done postoperatively (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a gross examination in surgical pathology?

To determine the size and shape of the specimen (B) Signup and view all the answers

In surgical pathology, what is the recommended approach when dealing with ulcerated lesions?

Perform peripheral biopsies (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for using the paraffin embedding method in surgical pathology?

To enable sectioning of tissues for microscopic study (A) Signup and view all the answers

When collecting specimens for biopsy, what should be avoided according to general rules?

Crushing or squeezing the tissue (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of a frozen section in the context of surgical pathology?

To analyze tissues during intra-operative procedures (B) Signup and view all the answers

In surgical pathology, which type of biopsy involves both diagnosis and treatment?

Incisional biopsy (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for avoiding necrotic and hemorrhagic areas when collecting biopsy specimens?

To maintain specimen integrity for microscopic examination (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it recommended not to crush, squeeze, or do cautery during specimen collection for biopsy?

To avoid altering the tissue architecture (C) Signup and view all the answers

In surgical pathology, why is paraffin embedding a widely-used procedure?

To preserve specimens for long-term storage (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of biopsy would be recommended for an ulcerated lesion that includes a tumor?

Peripheral biopsy (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of using the frozen section technique in intra-operative evaluations?

Rapid confirmation of diagnosis (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to orientate specimens correctly before processing them in surgical pathology?

To minimize tissue manipulation during sectioning (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using xylene during the paraffin section procedure?

To clear the tissue (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential to dehydrate tissue during the paraffin section procedure?

To enhance tissue embedding (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of applying mounting media (Permount) after staining in the paraffin section procedure?

To protect the stained sections (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it necessary to use gradient concentrations of alcohol during rehydration in the paraffin section procedure?

To eliminate xylene residues (C) Signup and view all the answers

What role does formalin play in the fixation step of the paraffin section procedure?

To prevent tissue autolysis (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to attach thin sections to positively charged slides in the paraffin section procedure?

To improve tissue adhesion (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which specimen would be least suitable for frozen sectioning in the context of surgical pathology?

Hard lymph node in the neck (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of frozen section analysis?

Quick diagnosis (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why are biopsy specimens required to be properly fixed in surgical pathology?

To prevent decomposition and autolysis (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key disadvantage of using formalin for tissue fixation in surgical pathology?

Potential DNA damage (C) Signup and view all the answers

In surgical pathology, which method is typically used to create thin sections for permanent histological examination?

Formalin fixation and paraffin embedding (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a general rule for collecting appropriate specimens for biopsy in surgical pathology?

Collect the specimen in a sterile container without fixatives (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended ratio of fixative volume to specimen volume?

1:10 (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which fixative is mentioned to be suitable for most histological purposes?

10% Neutral buffered formalin (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary disadvantage associated with using formalin for tissue fixation?

Need for frequent change due to formic acid formation (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why does formalin need to be changed every 3-6 months?

To avoid formic acid formation (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic makes formalin advantageous in preserving tissues?

Preservation of fat & RBC well (A) Signup and view all the answers

What factor influences the penetration rate of fixative into tissues?

Consistency of the tissue (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of assessing ganglion cells in the large intestinal wall of Hirschsprung disease using frozen section?

To diagnose Hirschsprung disease definitively (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is waiting for a permanent section recommended in cases where a specific diagnosis cannot be made with a frozen section?

Permanent sections offer better preservation of tissue architecture and cellular details (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason behind placing fresh tissues in plastic bags for frozen section analysis?

To maintain tissue moisture and prevent drying (B) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of frozen section analysis, why are thyroid tissues considered challenging?

Thyroid follicular lesions cannot be easily differentiated as benign or malignant (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key reason for promptly sending specimens for frozen section examination?

To ensure optimal tissue preservation for accurate diagnosis (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential to label specimens clearly on their plastic bags for frozen section analysis?

To prevent mix-ups or misidentification during examination (D) Signup and view all the answers