Digital Gross Photography in an Anatomic Pathology Practice

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Authors: Andrey I. Khramtsov, MD, PhD, MS, PA (ASCP)CM and Galina F. Khramtsova, MD, PhD, MS, HTL (ASCP)CM
Reviewer: Paul S. Fekete, MD

This course will briefly describe the basic principles of digital photography of gross specimens, equipment, and tools to be used. Through examples of surgical pathology specimens from real practice will demonstrate what and how to photograph. The current uses of gross specimen photography in pathology practice will be presented. The current CAP requirements for gross photography (anatomic pathology checklist) and medical and legal considerations are discussed.

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Identify a list of surgical pathology gross specimens which require macroscopic photographs.
  • Describe the basic principles of obtaining and storing gross photographs.
  • Define essential equipment and tools related to the digital photography of gross specimens.
  • Differentiate the advantages and disadvantages between different digital photography cameras and systems.
  • Identify application of digital images in anatomic pathology practice.
  • Discuss the legal and ethical aspects of gross photography.
  • Identify the requirements of the College of American Pathologists pertaining to gross photographs

Course Outline

  • Introduction
      • Introduction
      • Which of the following statements about gross photography images are TRUE?
  • The decision to take photograph of gross specimens
      • The Decision to Take Photographs of Gross Specimens
      • List and Examples of Surgical Cases Requiring Gross Photographs
      • Example of Grossly Evident Pathology (Surgical Resection for Tumor)
      • Example of Diseased Organ Removed During Transplant Surgery (Native Liver)
      • Example of Pertinent Negative Specimen (an Appendix with no Pathological Change Removed for "Gangrenous Appendicitis" with Perforation)
      • Example of Disrupted and Fragmented Specimens (e.g., Ectopic Pregnancy Specimen)
      • Example of the Specimen for Gross Examination Only (e.g. Medical Device)
      • Example of Possible Medicolegal Case (e.g., Amputation due to Trauma)
      • Example Unusual Specimen (e.g., Mesothelial Cyst)
      • Other than the possible medicolegal cases, what other cases should be documented by digital photographs?
  • Basic principles of obtaining the gross pathology photographs using digital camera
      • Useful Tips for Taking Photographs of Gross Specimens
      • Tools Used to Properly Display a Specimen
      • The Technique of Gross Photography Specimen Mapping for Tumor Resections
      • Core Photographic Technical Skills
      • Macrophotography
      • Example of Macrophotography in an Anatomic Pathology Practice
      • File Formats for Digital Photos
      • RAW Image Format
      • JPEG Image Format
      • TIFF Image Format
      • Other Types of Image Formatting
      • For which of the following instances is the use of JPEG Image Format appropriate in anatomic pathology?
  • Essential equipment, tools and digital systems for gross photography in anatomic pathology practice
      • Essential Equipment and Tools for Gross Photography
      • Cameras and Digital Devices: Advantages and Disadvantages
      • Commercial Digital Imaging Systems
      • Free-standing Macro Stations
      • Mobile Stations
      • Stands That Fit Onto Or Are Mounted Directly to the Grossing Station
      • Commercial digital imaging systems typically come in only one free-standing macro station set-up option.
  • Current usage of gross digital photography in anatomic pathology practice
      • Applications of Gross Photographs
      • Applications of Gross Digital Images in Diagnostic Pathology Services
      • Applications of Gross Digital Images in Medical Education
      • Applications of Gross Digital Images in Pathology Research
      • Current usage of gross digital images in the pathology laboratory can be divided into categories as follows: diagnostic pathology services, medical ed...
  • Legal and ethical aspects of gross photography
      • Use of Gross Photography in Anatomic Pathology: Legal and Ethical Implications
      • De-identification, Privacy, and Consent in Medical Photography
      • De-identification, Privacy, and Consent in Medical Photography (continued)
      • The gross pathology photographs that comprise medical record number can be used to share on social media such as Twitter.
  • The College of American Pathologists requirements for gross photographs
      • The Current CAP Requirements for Gross Photography in Anatomic Pathology Checklist
      • The Current CAP Requirements for Gross Photography (Items from the Anatomic Pathology Checklist)
      • Practical Recommendations for Procedures and Policies to Comply With the Current CAP Requirements for Gross Photography in Anatomic Pathology
      • The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program has deeming authority to inspect and accredit clinical laboratories.
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of instruction: Intermediate
Intended audience: This course is intended for histology technicians and technologists, supervisors, pathologists’ assistants, and pathology residents. This content may benefit those working with surgical pathology specimens, performing autopsies, and obtaining digital gross photographs.
Course Information: This course will briefly describe the basic principles of digital photography of gross specimens, equipment, and tools to be used. Through examples of surgical pathology specimens from real practice will demonstrate what and how to photograph. The current uses of gross specimen photography in pathology practice will be presented. The current CAP requirements for gross photography (anatomic pathology checklist) and medical and legal considerations are discussed.
Author Information: Andrey I. Khramtsov, MD, PhD, MS, PA (ASCP)CM earned his MD and PhD degree at the St. Petersburg State Medical Academy (Russia). He was a staff pathologist in various hospitals and universities in Russia and as a senior scientist at the U. of Chicago. He also holds a MS degree from the Pathologists' Assistant Program at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Currently he is working in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and is involved in training of medical students, residents, and fellows.
Author Information: Galina F. Khramtsova, MD, PhD, MS, HTL (ASCP)CM earned her MD and PhD degree at the St. Petersburg State I.I. Mechnikov Medical Academy (Russia). She also holds a MS degree in biology from the St. Petersburg State University (Russia). She worked for many years in the field of molecular pathology and research. Currently she is working as a senior scientist in the Department of Medicine at the U. of Chicago and involved in research and training of rotating medical students, residents, and fellows in medical laboratory science.
Reviewer Information: Paul S. Fekete, MD is the CEO of MediaLab, Inc. He was formerly a senior pathologist with Gwinnett Pathology Associates in metro Atlanta and an assistant professor of pathology at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Fekete is board-certified in anatomical and clinical pathology and cytopathology.

This course is part of:
Histology CE
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