Diagnostic techniques of necrosis including the advantages and limitations
of each technique and it’s clinical relevance related to general pathology.
a. Investigate the pathological techniques commonly used to identify and diagnose
different types of necrosis.
There are many pathological techniques used in diagnosing different kinds of
necrosis. Biopsy is a histopathologic technique which helps to identify conditions
like coagulative necrosis in liver. Cytopathologic techniques like Fine needle
aspiration is a highly accurate tool in diagnosing tuberculosis lesions associated
with caseous necrosis.
Hematological examinations are conducted to identify abnormalities of cells in the
blood. Moreover, molecular techniques like time lapse microscopy and flow
cytometric assays are parameters that aids in discriminating apoptotic and necrotic
cells.
Imaging techniques include Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Cardiac
magnetic resonance (CMR), CT scans, X-rays and many more. CT scans helps
detect liquefactive necrosis occurring in the brain due to formation of pus-filled
cyst. Whereas, fat necrosis gives a wide spectrum of findings on MRI (Jorge L.
Taboada, 2008).
b. Discuss the advantages and limitations of each diagnostic technique.
Biopsies help to determine the growth of a tumor, and provide tumor staging.
They also help in evaluating cancer grades. However, biopsies have limitations
like causing excessive bleeding and damage to nearby tissues or organs. Solid
biopsy is invasive and it cannot be easily obtained in certain tumors.
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is an acceptable technique for diagnosing mass or
lesions mostly linked to fat necrosis. It is less invasive and causes less discomfort.
They are easier to obtain but, FNAs don’t always provide the necessary amount of
, information from samples. They can provide unspecified results and non-
diagnostic yields. Figure 01 depicts the process of FNA in the thyroid gland.
Figure 01: Fine needle aspiration in the thyroid gland (Source: Mayo clinic, 2018).
Hematological diagnosis includes the investigation and treatment of patients whose
diseases are associated with blood and bone marrow. Some common hematology tests
include WBC count, RBC count and Hematocrit RBC volume. Hematological
investigations are easy and simple to perform. However, sometimes the results maybe
incomplete and not accurate. Moreover, comments on the morphology of Red Blood
cells cannot be generated.
Flow cytometry is applied during analysis of cell cycle and biopharmaceutical
development. It is also used in measuring viability. Despite the advantages, there are
some downsides in this technique. When larger cells like cancer cells are analyzed
there can be particular risks. Moreover, contamination in the piping may cause the
system to get blocked and interrupt the flow.
Time lapse microscopy proves to be very advantageous in studying cell migration. It
is also a high throughput and noninvasive tool used for the study of cells as depicted
in figure 02. However, long time exposure to high intensity lights can cause
photobleaching of probes and cell stress. This can affect on data and lead to
misinterpretation of the experiment (Microscope master, 2023).
of each technique and it’s clinical relevance related to general pathology.
a. Investigate the pathological techniques commonly used to identify and diagnose
different types of necrosis.
There are many pathological techniques used in diagnosing different kinds of
necrosis. Biopsy is a histopathologic technique which helps to identify conditions
like coagulative necrosis in liver. Cytopathologic techniques like Fine needle
aspiration is a highly accurate tool in diagnosing tuberculosis lesions associated
with caseous necrosis.
Hematological examinations are conducted to identify abnormalities of cells in the
blood. Moreover, molecular techniques like time lapse microscopy and flow
cytometric assays are parameters that aids in discriminating apoptotic and necrotic
cells.
Imaging techniques include Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Cardiac
magnetic resonance (CMR), CT scans, X-rays and many more. CT scans helps
detect liquefactive necrosis occurring in the brain due to formation of pus-filled
cyst. Whereas, fat necrosis gives a wide spectrum of findings on MRI (Jorge L.
Taboada, 2008).
b. Discuss the advantages and limitations of each diagnostic technique.
Biopsies help to determine the growth of a tumor, and provide tumor staging.
They also help in evaluating cancer grades. However, biopsies have limitations
like causing excessive bleeding and damage to nearby tissues or organs. Solid
biopsy is invasive and it cannot be easily obtained in certain tumors.
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is an acceptable technique for diagnosing mass or
lesions mostly linked to fat necrosis. It is less invasive and causes less discomfort.
They are easier to obtain but, FNAs don’t always provide the necessary amount of
, information from samples. They can provide unspecified results and non-
diagnostic yields. Figure 01 depicts the process of FNA in the thyroid gland.
Figure 01: Fine needle aspiration in the thyroid gland (Source: Mayo clinic, 2018).
Hematological diagnosis includes the investigation and treatment of patients whose
diseases are associated with blood and bone marrow. Some common hematology tests
include WBC count, RBC count and Hematocrit RBC volume. Hematological
investigations are easy and simple to perform. However, sometimes the results maybe
incomplete and not accurate. Moreover, comments on the morphology of Red Blood
cells cannot be generated.
Flow cytometry is applied during analysis of cell cycle and biopharmaceutical
development. It is also used in measuring viability. Despite the advantages, there are
some downsides in this technique. When larger cells like cancer cells are analyzed
there can be particular risks. Moreover, contamination in the piping may cause the
system to get blocked and interrupt the flow.
Time lapse microscopy proves to be very advantageous in studying cell migration. It
is also a high throughput and noninvasive tool used for the study of cells as depicted
in figure 02. However, long time exposure to high intensity lights can cause
photobleaching of probes and cell stress. This can affect on data and lead to
misinterpretation of the experiment (Microscope master, 2023).
