Applications of Gross Digital Images in Diagnostic Pathology Services

The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Digital Gross Photography in an Anatomic Pathology Practice. Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

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Applications of Gross Digital Images in Diagnostic Pathology Services

A listing of applications of gross digital photography in diagnostic pathology services:
  • Clinical diagnostic and consultation purposes for primary diagnosis (e.g., supporting a gross description, demonstrating anatomical orientation, and mapping of a surgical specimen)
  • Radiologic-pathologic correlations (e.g., measurement of tumor size for staging, evaluation of the distance between the tumor and each of the inked surgical resection margins [see figure])
  • Intraoperative consultations
  • Second opinion consultation for challenging cases
  • Documentation of all medical-legal cases
  • Electronic medical records and autopsy reporting
  • Permanent digital archives of gross images of surgical pathology specimens
  • Quality assurance (QA)

Radiologic-pathologic correlation of breast tissue specimen.
A. Digital radiograph of the specimen of a patient with previously diagnosed invasive carcinoma.
B. The specimen has been inked using the six-color scheme.