Surgical Pathology Rotation

During the first two years of training, six months (three two-month blocks) are spent in surgical pathology at Parkland Memorial Hospital. These rotations provide exposure to the entire breadth of surgical pathology, including neuropathology. Responsibilities include the performance and preliminary interpretation of frozen sections under the supervision of attending faculty.

Residents are taught the proper techniques of gross dissection and are responsible for microscopic evaluation of the tissues on which they have performed a gross examination. The use of immunohistochemistry and ancillary molecular studies are integral to this experience. Microscopic sign-out with the staff occurs only after the resident has examined the tissue sections and formed a preliminary opinion. The resident is the principal interface with the clinician regarding this material. Placentas are reviewed with the Pediatric Pathology staff.

During the third or fourth year each resident spends two months on the special organ pathology rotation at Parkland. Responsibilities include all medical renal, hepatic, dermatologic, and ophthalmic specimens received by the surgical pathology service. The cases are signed out with faculty who have expertise in these subspecialty areas. Extensive advanced surgical pathology experience with graduated responsibility is also part of senior rotations at the Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Zale Lipshy University Hospital, St. Paul University Hospital, and Children’s Medical Center.

Faculty

Duration

Level I: Two months at Parkland Hospital

Level II: Two months at Zale Lipshy University Hospital, two months on special organ Pathology, and four months at Parkland.

Prerequisites

None. However, senior residents (second and third rotations, Level II) will be expected to show more proficiency in diagnostic activities than residents on first rotations (Level I). Senior residents will also be expected to assist with training of Level I residents.

Objectives

Conferences

  • Consultant’s Conference
  • Gross Conference
  • Anatomic Pathology Conference

Basic Reading

  • Rosai and Ackerman's Surgical Pathology, 9th Edition, by Rosai (entire text should be read during the first two years of the residency)
  • Appendix H in Ackerman's Surgical Pathology
  • AJCC Cancer Staging Manual
  • Orientation materials (review objectives, rotations, and responsibilities)