Immunoglobulin G4-related aortitis mimicking an intramural hematoma.

Immunoglobulin G4-related systemic disease is a rare entity with various presenting symptoms. We report the case of a 34-year-old Chinese male who presented with immunoglobulin G4-related aortitis and the unusual symptom of hoarseness of voice. He underwent distal ascending aorta and total aortic arch replacement.

Intraoperative assessment of sentinel node using imprint cytology.

Background: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has replaced axillary sampling as the axillary staging procedure of choice in patients with breast cancer. Accurate intraoperative evaluation of the SLN would allow axillary lymph node clearance to be performed during the initial operation when the SLN is positive for metastatic disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the accuracy of intraoperative imprint cytology (IC) of the SLN in two different institutions in the United Kingdom.

Subspecialisation in cellular pathology in the DGH setting: the Warwick experience.

A successful move towards subspecialised reporting in cellular pathology in the setting of a small to medium-sized district general hospital staffed by five consultant pathologists is described. This move has been facilitated by implementation of a prospective workload allocation system. Perceived benefits in service delivery and career progression are highlighted.

The Warwick system of prospective workload allocation in cellular pathology--an aid to subspecialisation: a comparison with the Royal College of Pathologists' system.

Background: Guidelines on staffing and workload for histopathology and cytopathology departments was published by the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) in July 2003. In this document, a system is provided whereby the workload of a cellular pathology department and individual pathologists can be assessed with a scoring system based on specialty and complexity of the specimens. A similar, but simplified, system of scoring specimens by specialty was developed in the Warwick District General Hospital.