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Second opinion of anatomical pathology: a complex issue not easily reduced to matters of right and wrong
W M Murphy1, I Rivera-Ramirez, L G Luciani
1Department of Pathology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Purpose:
We discuss the subject of a second opinion for interpretations of anatomical pathology from the perspective of patient care.
Materials And Methods:
We grouped 150 cases involving pathological review at our institution into 3 categories depending on the effect on patient care.
Results:
Of 29 interpretive discrepancies 14 resulted in treatment changes but 7 of these 14 may have been interpreted differently by other practice groups.
Conclusions:
Whether the second opinion represents an interpretive error or a legitimate difference of opinion, the result may affect patient care. Patients referred for treatment among practice groups should have pathological findings reviewed as part of a complete assessment by the new physicians.
