Welcome to Pathology Student!
My name is Kristine Krafts, MD, and I love teaching pathology.
If you’re looking for straightforward answers to your pathology questions,
you’ve come to the right place!
High-yield histology: the GI tract
When you're studying pathology, it's a good idea to review normal stuff quickly before you get into all the diseases. It's easy to forget histology, for example - and a couple minutes of review can be enough to bring it all back. So I thought I'd do a little review...
A 30 year-old male with a deep thigh mass
A 30 year-old male presents with a deep thigh mass that he notes has been present for several years. A biopsy section is shown here. What is the most likely diagnosis? A. OsteosarcomaB. LiposarcomaC. Nodular fasciitisD. Synovial sarcomaE. Rhabdomyosarcoma ...
Microcytosis and hypochromasia
Q. What is the pathophysiology of microcytes in iron-deficiency anemia (IDA)? I mean I understand that hypochromasia is due to low hemoglobin content, but what makes the cells smaller? Is it something like first there is hypochromasia and then the cells shrink? Aren't...
What does phospholipid do in the PT and PTT?
Q. I have a quick question about coag lab tests. In the tests that you are adding phospholipid (like the PTT), what exactly is the phospholipid doing? A. It's just providing a surface for the coagulation factors to sit on! Many of the coagulation factors need a...
What does the blood look like in myeloma?
Here's a good question to test your knowledge of myeloma. Q. Which of the following peripheral blood findings is most common in patients with multiple myeloma? A. A white blood cell count that includes at least 20% plasma cellsB. A mild thrombocytosisC. Red cells...
Absolute vs. corrected reticulocyte count
Q. I have one question, and you are my last hope. What is the difference between the absolute and corrected reticulocyte count? I thought they were the same thing, but I read on a forum that they are not. A. That's a great question! There are actually three...
A 16 year-old male with a nagging cough
A 16 year-old male presents with a nagging, worsening cough that has been present for 4 weeks. His blood smear is shown here. What is the most likely diagnosis? A. Bordetella pertussisB. Streptococcus pharyngitisC. Mycoplasma pneumoniaeD. Respiratory syncytial virus...
Why do you see Howell-Jolly bodies in sickle cell anemia?
Here's a great question from a reader. Q. Why are Howell-Jolly bodies seen in sickle cell anemia? That's where I am getting caught up. Also, what is the pathophysiology behind having nucleated RBCs? A. The pathophysiology behind Howell-Jolly bodies and nucleated red...
A 7 year-old male with headache and vomiting
A 7 year-old male presents with headache, vomiting and gait ataxia. A noncontrast head CT shows a hyperdense mass in the posterior fossa. A biopsy is performed, and a representative section is shown here. What is the most likely diagnosis? A. AstrocytomaB....