Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Instruction for Contributors
Introduction Title Clinical Information Pathology of the Case Diagnosis Discussion Reference Last updated: July 30, 03.
Contribution: Please contact Drs. Kar-Ming Fung or Ravi Sawh.
Introduction: OU Cases of the Month is designed as a supplement for regular residency training. The focus is on uncommon cases with classic pathologic features or common cases with unusual pathologic or clinical features. The case material and discussion is reviewed by our organizers and also a faculty member with expertise in that field. Every case has at least two webpages: the question-page and discussion-page. Cases are typically posted as “unknowns” at the beginning of the month (the question-page), and discussion is posted and linked tot he question-page in the following month. The discussion of the case (the discussion-page) should be comprehensive and provide adequate and updated knowledge on the case under discussion. The discussion-page is divided into five major sections in most cases: Title, Clinical Information, Pathology of the Case, Diagnosis, Discussion, Reference. Additional sections such as those dedicated to the radiological findings and/or molecular pathology findings of the case can also be added if indicated.
Title: The title is usually a short sentence that summaries the pertinent clinical features of the case. (e.g. 54 year-old man with acute onset pain, delusion, and rapid deterioration. Case 308-1)
Clinical Information: This section should provide a clear and short clinical summary of the case. The editorial staff reserve the right to withhold part of the clinical information in order t raise the level of change of the case. The withhold portion of clinical will be disclosed on the discussion-page.
Pathology of the Case: This section essentially provide an in depth description of the pathology of the case. Radiological findings can be incorporated into this section or may be presented as an individual section. Editorial comment emphasizing the differences and similarities in pathology of the case under discussion and other similar cases are welcome and will be indicated as Comment.
Diagnosis: The diagnosis of the case should be placed here.
Discussion: It is of paramount importance for the contributor to bear in mind that this is an educational session rather than a regular case report. A comprehensive volume of information on the entity is expected. The format of the discussion is flexible but usually contains three major sections. More sections such as Pathogenesis, Molecular Pathology, Genetics, etc. can be used.
General Information: The first paragraph should be dedicated to provide a "capsule-summary" of the entity. The second and third paragraphs should include the following information when relevant: age, incidence and prevalence, location, clinical manifestations, genetics, molecular pathology, biological behavior and prognosis of the case, association with other entities or syndromes, etc. A brief discussion on the treatment is also welcome. A separate section for some of the information (such as genetics) can be established when it becomes voluminous.
Pathology: This section provides general information on the pathology of the entity under discussion and related entities in the same family. Emphases should be put in compare and contrast on the pathologic changes of the case under discussion and other similar cases. Unique features the cases should also be pointed out. Relevant additional images can be inserted into the discussion to complete the discussion. After the residents finished reading this section, they should have a general idea of the pathology of the family of entity under discussion. Clinical pathologic correlation should also be emphasized.
Differential diagnosis: The pathologic features and the pertinent criteria for separating the entity under discussion from the differential diagnoses should be provided. The information should not be limited to pathology. The discussion should be short. Again, relevant additional images can be inserted into the discussion to complete the discussion.
Reference: Number entries consecutively in the order in which they are mentioned in the text. Please follow the following format for reference and books:
For
book chapters: Gnepp
DR, Wenig BM. Malignant mixed tumors. In: Ellis G, Anclair P, Gnepp D,
editors. Surgical pathology of the salivary glands. Philadelphia: Saunders;
1991. p 350–368.
For Journals: Nagao T, Sugano I, Ishida Y, Asoh A, Munakata S, Yamazaki K, Konno A, Iwaya K, Shimizu T, Serizawa H, Ebihara Y. Hybrid carcinomas of the salivary glands: report of nine cases with a clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and p53 gene alteration analysis. Mod Pathol. 2002; 15:724-33.
Introduction Title Clinical Information Pathology of the Case Diagnosis Discussion Reference