{"title":"[Teaching pathology in Germany : The current state of teaching at pathological institutes of German universities in 2024].","authors":"Alexander Fichtner, Christiane Kümpers","doi":"10.1007/s00292-025-01424-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00292-025-01424-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The teaching of pathology at the 36 university departments of pathology is influenced by different curriculum structures. Teaching formats and the number of course hours vary considerably in some cases, partly due to structural circumstances at different locations. The teaching content appears to be largely congruent. Most of the medical staff are involved in teaching. The postgraduate training assistants would like good training and time to prepare the courses. The institute directors predominantly rate teaching as very important or important for them personally, whereas their satisfaction with the overall teaching situation at the locations is rated as \"moderate.\" Students are largely satisfied with teaching. In addition to structured, interdisciplinary, and practical teaching, suggestions for improvement include, in particular, opportunities to participate in autopsies, the use of digital formats (e.g., in lectures, microscopy courses), a more precise introduction to the assessment of histopathological findings, and a better presentation of the fields of activity in pathology. Attempts should be made throughout Germany to standardize teaching more in order to better represent the subject to deaneries and examination offices. In addition, efforts should be made to modernize teaching content and methods to make the subject more attractive to potential new recruits.</p>","PeriodicalId":74402,"journal":{"name":"Pathologie (Heidelberg, Germany)","volume":" ","pages":"163-170"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143573797","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Julia Müller, Blake Gilks, Jessica McAlpine, Grit Gesine Ruth Hiller, Anne Kathrin Höhn, Lars-Christian Horn
{"title":"[Incidental diagnosis of lymphangioleiomyomatosis in gynecological surgery-a case series].","authors":"Julia Müller, Blake Gilks, Jessica McAlpine, Grit Gesine Ruth Hiller, Anne Kathrin Höhn, Lars-Christian Horn","doi":"10.1007/s00292-025-01414-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00292-025-01414-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare, slow progressing, low-grade neoplasia that primarily effects young women. The disease is well known for its pulmonary involvement with cystic destruction, but extra-pulmonary disease may occur. LAM is associated with mutations in the TSC 1 or TSC 2 genes and may develop sporadically or in the context of hereditary disease tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Incident LAM may represent the sentinel finding of the disease.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>Raising awareness for rare extrapulmonary LAM lesions in retroperitoneum and pelvic cavity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data-based research was performed for LAM in gynecological surgical specimens. H&E-stained slides were re-examined, and immunohistochemical stains were re-evaluated. Clinical data were retrieved for the presence pulmonary LAM or TSC.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 13 cases were identified. The age of the patients ranged from 32 to 77 years, and 8/13 were ≤ 55 years. Two women had a history of pulmonary LAM and TSC. Most women underwent surgery for gynecological malignancy. On histological examination, 10/13 patients presented LAM in 1 to 9 lymph nodes with a lesion size of 0.5 to 12.0 mm, mainly located subcapsular or in the nodal parenchyma. Three of the 13 women showed extranodal involvement of the retroperitoneum, myometrium, and the hilum of the ovary. Immunohistochemically LAM was positive for HMB45, desmin, and smooth muscle actin.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>LAM is a rare systemic disease that mainly involves the lungs. Nevertheless, extra-pulmonary manifestations may occur. It is important to report the incidental finding of even small foci of LAM within the pathology report. Incidental LAM may represent the sentinel lesion for pulmonary LAM and/or TSC.</p>","PeriodicalId":74402,"journal":{"name":"Pathologie (Heidelberg, Germany)","volume":" ","pages":"179-184"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12041133/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143366971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Prostate cancer in the biopsy : Diagnostic criteria, mimickers/pitfalls, and subtypes].","authors":"Glen Kristiansen, Marit Bernhardt","doi":"10.1007/s00292-025-01432-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00292-025-01432-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite advances in imaging diagnostics, the histological confirmation of suspected carcinoma through prostate core needle biopsy remains essential for therapy planning. Diagnosis is based on established morphological criteria such as architectural disturbances, cellular atypia, and the loss of the basal cell layer. In addition to the most common acinar prostate carcinoma, various subtypes and rare histological patterns exist, which must be differentiated from benign mimickers. Immunohistochemical methods support diagnostic accuracy but should be carefully interpreted in the context of morphology. Tumor extent in core biopsy specimens should preferably be reported in millimeters. Diagnostic uncertainties can be coded as atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) or atypical intraductal proliferation (AIP) to facilitate appropriate clinical interpretation.</p>","PeriodicalId":74402,"journal":{"name":"Pathologie (Heidelberg, Germany)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143999617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Grossing and reporting of the radical prostatectomy specimen].","authors":"Marit Bernhardt, Glen Kristiansen","doi":"10.1007/s00292-025-01431-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00292-025-01431-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The grossing and reporting of radical prostatectomy specimens are key issues in pathology. Consensus conferences have defined clear guidelines for UICC/TNM-relevant parameters, while the extent of embedding remains controversial. Various embedding protocols, such as the Bonn protocol, enable efficient processing with consistent diagnostic significance. The increasing use of standardized diagnostic schemes, such as those developed by the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting (ICCR), can ensure (international) comparability of diagnoses. This paper explains the criteria for embedding and reporting with a particular focus on prognostically relevant findings such as the differentiation between pT2 and pT3 tumors.</p>","PeriodicalId":74402,"journal":{"name":"Pathologie (Heidelberg, Germany)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144038098","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Legal and organizational aspects of autopsy in Germany].","authors":"B Märkl, T Schaller","doi":"10.1007/s00292-025-01425-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00292-025-01425-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The article explores the legal and organizational aspects of autopsies in Germany. Despite their importance in clinical medicine, the number of clinical autopsies has been declining for decades due to work-related, organizational, and legal challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a temporary resurgence of interest in autopsies, although this interest has since waned. Initiatives like the National Autopsy Network (NATON) and the National Autopsy Register (NAREG) have been established to promote research and quality assurance.Legally, autopsies in Germany are regulated at both federal and state levels. Variations in regulations between states, especially concerning consent and the definition of a corpse, complicate the process. Social insurance-related autopsies are crucial in clarifying occupational diseases and accidents.Organizationally, autopsies require consent from relatives, which is often a challenging step. However, the introduction of remuneration for clinical autopsies has improved the framework. Initiatives such as the S1 guideline and international research projects have reinforced the role of autopsies. The article underscores the importance of autopsies in quality assurance and research, especially given the rise in occupational diseases and the need for improved clinical diagnoses.</p>","PeriodicalId":74402,"journal":{"name":"Pathologie (Heidelberg, Germany)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143652547","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Exanthematic drug eruption].","authors":"Mirjana Ziemer, Elisabeth Livingstone","doi":"10.1007/s00292-025-01418-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00292-025-01418-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Besides reactions of the IgE-mediated immediate type, medicamentous therapies can cause a variety of different mucocutaneous adverse events. Exanthematous manifestations require a fast and certain diagnosis due to their extent, sometimes rapid progression, and mucous membrane or organ involvement.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The spectrum of non-IgE-mediated exanthematic drug reactions is covered.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>The most relevant reactions are portrayed clinically and histopathologically.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Displayed are classical maculo-papular drug eruption, lichenoid drug reaction, acute generalized exanthematic pustulosis (AGEP), severe potentially life-threatening drug reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) as well as generalized bullous fixed drug eruption (GBFDE), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and some others.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Cutaneous drug-related side effects cover a broad spectrum. Important for the correct treatment is a reliable diagnosis. In the case of severe, life-threatening drug reactions, however, permanent discontinuation of the drug is essential.</p>","PeriodicalId":74402,"journal":{"name":"Pathologie (Heidelberg, Germany)","volume":" ","pages":"90-100"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143442830","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Clues in dermatopathological diagnostics].","authors":"Almut Böer-Auer","doi":"10.1007/s00292-024-01400-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00292-024-01400-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Numerous diagnostic clues are used in routine dermatopathological diagnostics. Ideally, a diagnostic clue can lead directly to a specific diagnosis and save further time-consuming additional diagnostic procedures. This article discusses the concept of \"clues to diagnosis\" starting from its historical beginnings with a review of relevant studies and including current literature. Selected clues to dermatophytosis, psoriasis, and mycosis fungoides are analyzed. In addition, some newer and still little-known dermatopathological clues to inflammatory and infectious skin disease are presented. The aim is to specify the use of clues on the basis of current findings and to draw attention to scientifically sound clues.</p>","PeriodicalId":74402,"journal":{"name":"Pathologie (Heidelberg, Germany)","volume":" ","pages":"81-89"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142803751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}