Pathology Exam Review

This is a book manuscript under preparation that is a study guideline in anatomic and clinical pathology for trainees taking the American Board of Pathology Examinations.  The intended book consists of multiple choice questions and answers and covers all aspects of general pathology, Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology.  We welcome contributions to the book from pathologists or trainees in any area of pathology.  If you have questions or images to share, or if you would like your name to be recognized in a published book, please do not hesitate to contact us.  We will add your name in certain chapters if you have significant contribution.  Examples of questions in the book are noted below.

 

1)

 

 

This tumor occurred in the soft tissue around the knee. Immunostains that are important in reaching the diagnosis include:

  1. Vimentin
  2. Cytokeratin
  3. Desmin
  4. CD34
  5. CD99

 

Answer: b. A spindle cell sarcoma occurring around the knee joint and showing slit-like spaces is most likely synovial sarcoma. Cytokeratin or EMA positivity is important in reaching the diagnosis. 

    

2)      A raised creamy yellow hemolytic colony on blood agar can further be verified as Staphylococcus by any of the following tests EXCEPT:

 

  1. Development of red color when Kovac’s reagent is added to a filter paper containing bacterial colonies
  2. Gram stain showing gram-positive cocci in clusters
  3. Bacterial clumping with the addition  of rabbit plasma on glass slide
  4. Effervescence on the plate after addition of 3% hydrogen peroxide
  5. Resistance to novobiocin disk

 

Answer: a. Staphylococci can be confirmed by gram stain (option b), coagulase test (option c), catalase test (option d) or resistance to novobiocin.  The Indole test (option a) is used to verify E. coli

 

Please e-mail or call if you would like to contribute or if you are asking more information:

 

Atif A Ahmed, MD                                                       Ronald Przygodzki, MD

Children’s National Medical Center                               T: 202-884-2051                                                         

111 Michigan Avenue, NW                                           E-mail: rprzygod@cnmc.org

Washington, DC

T: 202-884-2051

E-mail: aahmed@cnmc.org