Pathology Student

Pilocytic astrocytoma: the astrocytoma with good manners

In case you just joined us, we’re doing a series on brain tumors (so far we’ve had an overview and a look at astrocytoma). (more…)

Astrocytoma: the most common adult brain tumor

We’ll start out our little series on brain tumors with astrocytomas, the most common type of brain tumor in adults (accounting for 80% of all primary brain tumors in adults). (more…)

Brain tumors in 300 words or less

I’ve gotten a few requests through Twitter for posts on neuropathology. (more…)

We’re on iBooks!

Finally – after jumping through a LOT of hoops, The Complete Hematopathology Guide is now on iBooks. (more…)

Q. I had some confusion on why the PT, PTT, and TT are prolonged in disseminated intravascular coagulation. Intuitively I thought they might be shorter because everything is already present and turned on due to the constant state of coagulation, but the only way I can think it might be prolonged would be that are the factors being used up which then shows up as a long PT, PTT and TT? If you could just clarify that for me that would be great.

A. Yes! That’s exactly why they are prolonged! In disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) there’s a ton of clotting going on – so the platelets and coag factors are getting used up. As the coag factors get used up, the PT (prothrombin time), PTT (partial thromboplastin time) and TT (thrombin time) go up. You also see increased FDPs (fibrin degradation products) – but that’s an incredibly sensitive test, best used for other purposes.

By the way, Ed’s Pathology Notes has a way to remember the seriousness of DIC – he calls it “Death is Coming.”

The Philadelphia chromosome in CML and ALL

Q. I have a question about the Philadelphia chromosome. The Philadelphia chromosome is present in chronic myeloid leukemia. (more…)

Richter’s transformation – prolymphocytes, large cells, or what?

Q. I have a quick question regarding Richter’s transformation in CLL. (more…)

Iron deficiency vs. anemia of chronic disease

Q. Are anemia of chronic disease and iron deficiency anemia technically both iron-deficient conditions? (more…)

Forward blood typing

Q.Â I have a question about blood typing. I understand that in forward typing, we use anti-A and anti-B antibodies. (more…)

Immunology quiz answers

First, a short question on IgA:

Q. I heard in lecture that IgA isÂ bactericidal. How does that work, if IgAÂ doesn’t bind to complement and does not have an available Fc receptor? (more…)