Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Department of Pathology
Resident Guidelines
VIII
Page 31
RE: Resident Responsibilities
Reviewed June 21, 2010
NAME OF ROTATION: Electron Microscopy
YEAR(S) OF RESIDENCY ROTATION IS TAKEN AND DURATION:
I-IV, incorporated into Surgical Pathology
GOALS:
The goal is to provide experience and information about technical aspects and interpretation of
the observations. The resident will learn what observations can be made with EM, the
limitations of the EM and the cost of electron microscopic studies.
Skill Level I
Electron Microscopy:
 Demonstrate knowledge of the procedures for submitting specimens for electron
microscopy, including tissue fixation, processing and sectioning into thin/thick sections.
 Demonstrate ability to select tissue foci for preparation and photography
 Demonstrate general knowledge of preparation of tissue specimens for electron
microscopy, and, optionally, participate in that preparation.
 Demonstrate knowledge of common ultrastructural features in diseases that routinely
require electron microscopy, and, optionally, learn to operate a diagnostic electron
microscope.
 Demonstrate the ability to photograph a specimen at the EM scope.
 Be able to interpret the final prints in selected cases.
 Be able to incorporate the EM findings with light microscopic and other findings.
Immunohistochemistry:
 Demonstrate knowledge of basic principles of immunohistochemistry
 Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate collection, fixation, and preparation of tissue
samples for immunohistochemistry, and, optionally, perform the actual procedures used
in the immunohistochemistry laboratory
 Demonstrate knowledge of the interpretation of positive and negative
immunohistochemical results & artifacts
 Demonstrate an ability to select proper antibody panels for the differential diagnosis of
neoplastic diseases.
 Demonstrate knowledge of prognostic factors that are detectable by
immunohistochemical studies of paraffin sections.
 Demonstrate ability to use semiquantitative techniques in selected cases as available in
the laboratory
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF RESIDENTS:
1. The resident works with the technical staff to:
a. process the specimen
b. cut ultrathin sections using diamond knife
c. examine specimen from light microscopic studies
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Department of Pathology
Resident Guidelines
VIII
Page 32
RE: Resident Responsibilities
Electron Microscopy
Reviewed June 21, 2010
d. learn photography techniques at electron microscope
e. review EM prints and formulate opinions
f. recognize basic findings in EM such as desmosomes, neurosecretory granules,
melanosomes
Supervision and Evaluations:
The EM experience usually occurs during Surgical Pathology usually with the teaching in Renal
Pathology and will be evaluated as a separate entity using the usual format.
LIST of specific evaluation tools outside usual evaluation
The teaching staff is involved in every step in the biopsy process including allocation of
the tissue for light, immunofluorescent and electron microscopic studies, review of light
microscopy, immunofluorescent and electron microscopic findings and final report
preparation. At the end of the rotation, the teaching staff will evaluate the resident’s
knowledge acquired during the rotation by giving three unknown cases and discussing
with the resident the differential diagnosis and clinical course of the disease.
RESIDENT DOCUMENTATION of activities:
Keep log of EM cases as part of Autopsy and Surgical Pathology logs
TEACHING STAFF RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPERVISION:
Ruc M. Tran, MD, Professor