This book aims at providing a comprehensive knowledge on a single platform of all principles and procedures of a Pathology Laboratory. It’s a hands-on detail on all procedures with their principles, methodology and trouble shooting in Haematology, Cytology, Histopathology and other ancillary techniques. The latter include photography, Museum-setting techniques, Autopsy technique and interpretation. Also included in the book is Quality assurance and detail on how to maintain the quality checks.
The Haematology section includes detail on simple techniques like haemoglobin estimation, cells counts, haematocrit, peripheral smear examination, etc, and an approach to investigations of all types of anaemias including haemolytic anaemias. Anticoagulants, Blood banking and Blood groups have been covered.
Cytopathology: detail of specimen collection, processing of material of the various anatomical sites; fixation and staining as well as standard current systems of reporting have been covered. Reporting criteria on urine analysis, synovial fluid and semen analysis as well as The Bethesda System of reporting Cervical Cytology with recent advances and recommendations have been detailed.
Section on Histology traces the journey of specimens from receipt in the laboratory to the finished report. Fixation, processing of tissue, section cutting, routine staining as well as special stains with principles, indications and time-tested procedures have been provided. Photomicrographs of special stains and other techniques are included. Molecular and advanced laboratory procedures and their applications have been outlined. Systematized Nomenclature of Pathology (SNOP) is separately dealt with as a chapter with it’s modification for Cytology Indexing System. Quality Control and Quality Assurance, Accreditation and methods of Laboratory management both for Cytology and Histopathology are detailed.
Laboratory ancillary procedures intrinsic to any standard Institutional or private Laboratory with principles of Microscopy, Museum set up, Autopsy Techniques; Photography and Photomicrography are unique to this book and have been added with the intention of making this a comprehensive reference hands on book for a surgical pathologist and cytologist. The chapter on Autopsy techniques has been introduced as a quick reference for all residents.
This book is a hands-on practical manual with detail and precision, based on current concepts amalgamated with years of experience by the author. It is extremely useful for technicians, residents, cytologists and surgical pathologists.
Shameem Shariff MD PhD
Former Professor and Head, Department of Pathology, St John's Medical College and Hospital and MVJ Medical College and Research Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
