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Current Utilization of Electron Microscopy in the Pediatric Pathology Setting: A Survey by the SPP Practice Committee
Mikako Warren1, Robyn C Reed2, Vinay Prasad3
1Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Summary
Pediatric pathology practices face challenges maintaining electron microscopy (EM) services due to declining use and technologist shortages. Despite these issues, EM remains valuable for diagnosing pediatric diseases, especially for specific biopsies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pathology
- Diagnostic Electron Microscopy
Background:
- Electron microscopy (EM) use has declined in pediatric disease diagnosis.
- A survey assessed the current state of EM services in pediatric pathology practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of declining EM use on pediatric pathology services.
- To identify challenges and current practices related to EM in children's hospitals.
Main Methods:
- Survey of 113 Society of Pediatric Pathology members across 74 hospitals.
- Hospitals categorized by type: academic tertiary, freestanding children's, and community.
Main Results:
- Over 60% of hospitals maintain in-house EM services, citing technologist shortages.
- Freestanding children's hospitals handle the most diverse and highest volume of EM specimens.
- Challenges include decreasing caseloads, high costs, and a lack of EM-proficient pathologists.
Conclusions:
- Maintaining EM services presents significant challenges in pediatric pathology.
- Electron microscopy retains diagnostic value, particularly for specific organ biopsies.
- Centralization of services and targeted training are crucial for preserving EM expertise.
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