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Ex Vivo Artifacts and Histopathologic Pitfalls in the Lung
Erik Thunnissen, Hans J L G Blaauwgeers, Erienne M V de Cuba
1From the Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands (Drs Thunnissen, de Cuba, and Yick);
Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
|March 2, 2016
Summary
Surgical handling of lung tissue can create artifacts that mimic diseases. Recognizing these four ex vivo artifact patterns prevents misinterpreting pulmonary parenchyma for conditions like adenocarcinoma or asthma.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Pathology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Surgical and pathologic handling of lung tissue can introduce artifacts.
- These artifacts alter the morphologic appearance of pulmonary parenchyma, potentially leading to misdiagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe and illustrate common ex vivo artifacts in lung tissue.
- To highlight how these artifacts can lead to diagnostic pitfalls.
Main Methods:
- The study describes and illustrates four distinct mechanisms of ex vivo artifact formation.
- These mechanisms are linked to specific diagnostic pitfalls encountered in pulmonary pathology.
Main Results:
- Four artifact patterns identified: surgical collapse, smooth muscle contraction, clamping edema, and tissue spreading.
- Associated diagnostic pitfalls include mimicking adenocarcinoma, asthma, constrictive bronchiolitis, and lymphedema.
Conclusions:
- Recognizing these four pulmonary ex vivo artifact patterns is crucial.
- Awareness of these artifacts helps avoid morphologic misinterpretations in diagnostic pathology.
