Category: Clinical Updates

2025 Cleveland Clinic Laboratories Soft Tissue Pathology Course – Save the Date!

Comprehensive & Immersive Soft Tissue Pathology Course

May 15-18, 2025

InterContinental Hotel at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus | Cleveland, OH

Join us for an Interactive, Immersive, and Comprehensive Soft Tissue Pathology Course

This four-day course is a one-of-a-kind experience set in the heart of one of the country’s busiest soft tissue pathology consultation practices.

Participants will have the opportunity to digitally preview a wide variety of soft tissue cases spanning from benign lesions and reactive mimics to high grade sarcomas, followed by interactive case-based discussions with world-renown faculty. Interspersed lectures focusing on a practical approach to common diagnostic scenarios will complement these case sessions.

During this course, pathologists will develop skills and tools to work-up and triage mesenchymal lesions encountered in every-day practice.

Registration Information

Symposium Director

Karen Fritchie, MD
Director, Soft Tissue Pathology

Course Objectives

Comprehend the utility of immunohistochemical, molecular techniques, and radiology studies in the work-up of soft tissue tumors
Develop a work-up strategy for the diagnosis of mesenchymal neoplasms
Identify common and uncommon soft tissue tumors
Recognize pitfalls commonly encountered in soft tissue pathology

Who Should Attend?

Pathologists, Pathology Residents & Fellows

CME Credits

This live activity is approved for continuing medical education credits. Read more.

Faculty Presenters

John Goldblum, MD
Chair, Division of Pathology

John Reith, MD
Staff Pathologist, Orthopaedic Pathology

Steven D. Billings, MD
Staff Pathologist, Dermatopathology & Soft Tissue Pathology

Scott Kilpatrick, MD
Director, Orthopaedic Pathology
Medical Director, CCL Anatomic Pathology Services

Brian Rubin, MD, PhD
Chief, Diagnostics Institute
Chair, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

Josephine Dermawan, MD, PhD
Director, AP Molecular Pathology
Staff Pathologist, Soft Tissue & Orthopaedic Pathology

Susan Armstrong, MD
Staff Pathologist, Pulmonary Pathology

Registration

Online registration will be available soon.

In-person fee includes:
Continental breakfasts, refreshment breaks, Saturday reception (in-person only), and online access to faculty PowerPoint presentations in PDF format pre and post-course.

Virtual option fee includes:
Access to view lectures and online access to faculty PowerPoint presentations.

Early Bird
on or before April 1, 2025

After
April 1, 2025

Physician (MD, Scientist, PhD)

$699

$749

Resident* / Fellow*

$349

$399

Non-Physician

$349

$399

*A letter from the program director is required to receive the discounted fee. If the letter is not received two weeks prior to the activity, the full physician fee will be charged.

Group Discount Available
Groups of three or more from the same office/institution will receive a $100 discount on the full registration fee. Registrants must call 216.444.9990 to receive a promotional code for special pricing.

Registration and Cancellation
Preregistrations are accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Register onsite after this date. Contactless registration on your own device will be required.
In case of cancellation, an email notification is required to process your refund. A full refund will be issued if canceled by May 3, 2025. After May 3, 2025, a $125 cancellation fee will be deducted from your refund. No refunds will be issued after May 7, 2025.

For questions about registration or cancellation, email cmeregistration@ccf.org or call 216.448.8710.

Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education reserves the right to cancel or postpone an activity at our sole discretion. In the unlikely event that this occurs, any registration fee(s) paid will be refunded. Be advised that Cleveland Clinic is not responsible for related costs including airline tickets, hotel costs, or any similar fee penalties incurred as a result of any meeting cancellations or changes.

General Information

Location
InterContinental Cleveland
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
9801 Carnegie Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44106
216.707.4100
iccleveland.com

Hotel Accommodations
A limited block of rooms will be reserved at the InterContinental Cleveland – more details will be available starting December 1, 2024.

Faculty Disclosure
The Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education has implemented a policy to comply with the current Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education Standards for Integrity and Independence requiring mitigation of all faculty conflicts of interest. Faculty declaring a relevant financial relationship will be identified in the activity syllabus.

For further information about this activity, contact Karen Fritchie, MD, at fritchk@ccf.org.

Americans with Disabilities Act
Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education fully intends to comply with the legal requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you need assistance, please notify us at least two weeks prior to the activity.

Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Credit Designation
American Medical Association (AMA)
Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education designates this live activity for a maximum of 28.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Participants claiming CME credit from this activity may submit the credit hours to the American Osteopathic Association for Category 2 credit.

American Board of Pathology MOC (ABPath)
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, earns 28.75 credits toward the Lifelong Learning requirement for the American Board of Pathology’s Continuing Certification program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting credit. Credit will be reported within 30 days of claiming credit.

Certificate of Participation
A certificate of participation will be provided to other healthcare professionals for requesting credits in accordance with their professional boards and/or associations.

Study References
Faculty presentations will also be available online in PDF format pre and post-course. You will have access to download or print the slides.

Health and Safety
As participants are responsible for their own health choices, the use of masks by all participants at this event is optional. Additionally, attendees are not required to verify vaccination status nor to provide a negative COVID-19 test for entry. Please note this is subject to change based on the most recent status of CDC, local and/or state guidelines.

Agenda

Thursday

Thursday, May 15, 2025

7:00 am Continental Breakfast

7:45 am Course Introduction and Welcoming Remarks (in-person only) – Karen Fritchie, MD

8:00 am Slide Preview, Staff Q&A (in-person only) – Course Faculty

11:00 am Lunch – On Your Own

12:00 pm The Utility of MDM2 FISH in the Work-up of Lipomatous Lesions – Karen Fritchie, MD

1:00 pm Lipomatous tumors – John Goldblum, MD

2:30 pm Break

3:00 pm Spindle Cell Sarcomas with Herringbone/Fascicular Morphology – Brian Rubin, MD, PhD

4:00 pm “Pseudosarcomas” – Scott Kilpatrick, MD

5:00 pm Acral Soft Tissue Tumors: The Answer is at Your Fingertip – Karen Fritchie, MD

6:00 pm Adjourn

Friday

Friday, May 16, 2025

7:30 am Continental Breakfast

8:00 am Slide Preview, Staff Q&A (in-person only) – Course Faculty

11:00 am Lunch – On your own

12:00 pm Common Core Biopsy Scenarios in Soft Tissue Pathology – Karen Fritchie, MD

1:30 pm Pediatric Soft Tissue Pathology – Scott Kilpatrick, MD

2:30 pm Break

3:00 pm Periprosthetic Joint Infection – John Reith, MD

4:00 pm Myxoid Soft Tissue Tumors – Steven Billings, MD

5:30 pm Adjourn

Saturday

Saturday, May 17, 2025

7:30 am Continental Breakfast

8:00 am Slide Preview, Staff Q&A (in-person only) – Course Faculty

11:00 am Lunch – On your own

12:00 pm S100-Positive Mesenchymal Neoplasms – Karen Fritchie, MD

1:00 pm What’s New in Soft Tissue Pathology? – Karen Fritchie, MD and Josephine Dermawan, MD, PhD

2:00 pm Break

2:30 pm “Everyday” Cutaneous Soft Tissue Tumors – Steven Billings, MD

2:30 pm The Importance of Molecular Correlation in Mesenchymal Neoplasia – Josephine Dermawan, MD, PhD

6:00 pm Reception with Attendees & Cleveland Clinic Staff

Sunday

Sunday, May 18, 2025

7:30 am Continental Breakfast

8:00 am Slide Preview, Staff Q&A (in-person only) – Course Faculty

10:00 am Mesenchymal Tumors of the Thorax and Lung – Susan Armstrong, MD

11:00 am Myoepithelioma… or Not? – Karen Fritchie, MD

12:00 pm Course Conclusion & Adjourn

July 2024: Blood Culture Bottle Shortage

Clinical Update

Blood Culture Bottle Shortage: Make the most of every bottle

A global shortage of blood culture bottles is expected to last for months, so we need caregivers’ help to make the most of every bottle.

Blood cultures are commonly used in patients with symptoms of an infection. It is always important to culture with purpose, but even more so when supplies are constrained.

When placing blood culture orders, consider this high-level overview of some blood culture best practices:

Do’s

Blood cultures are recommended as part of the initial evaluation for:

Severe sepsis or septic shock
Neutropenia with fever and febrile illnesses in immunocompromised patients
High-acuity illnesses like meningitis, endocarditis, and vascular graft infections
Fever in a patient with central venous catheter
Fever in an infant

Don’ts

Blood cultures are not routinely helpful for general medical and surgical patients with these common conditions:

Isolated fever without shaking chills
Isolated leukocytosis
Uncomplicated cystitis and prostatitis, non-severe community-acquired pneumonia, and non-severe cellulitis
Asymptomatic patients with a central line
Post-operative fever within 48 hours of surgery

For follow-up testing:

Do’s

Blood cultures are needed:

To confirm clearance of Staphylococcus bacteremia and candidemia
To confirm bloodstream clearance when treating a catheter-related bloodstream infection when the catheter has been maintained

Don’ts

Blood cultures are not needed to confirm bloodstream clearance in these situations:

Bacteremia due to urinary tract infection
Most routine gram-negative bacteremias
Bacteremia due to pneumonia or soft tissue infection

When drawing blood for blood cultures, remember these best practices:

Once the decision is made to culture, draw two sets – a single set is not optimal.

Avoid false-positive results due to skin contamination by strictly adhering to antisepsis protocols before venipuncture.

Collect the recommended volume of blood to maximize test sensitivity (weight-based blood volume for children; 8-10 mL per bottle for adults).

No order = no draw. Do not draw blood cultures before an order is placed, which can result in discarded bottles.

Register Now! 2025 Cleveland Clinic Multispecialty Pathology Symposium

Clinical Updates

2025 Cleveland Clinic Multispecialty Pathology Symposium

January 24-26, 2025 | Encore at Wynn Las Vegas

Overview

This pathology symposium will focus on practical discussions of commonly encountered problems in surgical pathology. The goal is to provide useful tips that the speakers utilize in their own practice at the microscope. We aim to address and discuss common problems and avoid an undue focus on esoterica.

In this course, renowned subspecialists who are highly sought-after for their teaching skills will cover a broad spectrum of cases, including genitourinary pathology, thoracic pathology, gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary pathology, gynecologic cancer, and breast pathology.

Practicing pathologists, fellows, and residents who attend will maintain, develop, and increase their knowledge, competence, and professional performance, with the intent to improve diagnosis and positively impact patient care.

Target Audience: Pathologists, Pathology Residents & Fellows

This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 credit™.

Overview & Agenda (.pdf)

Symposium Co-Directors

Sanjay Mukhopadhyay, MD

Sean Williamson, MD

Faculty Presenters

Erica Savage, MD

Vincent Cracolici, MD

Erna Forgó, MD

Friday, 1/24

Friday, January 24, 2025

10:45 a.m.

Registration, Lunch, and Exhibits

11:45 a.m.

Welcoming Remarks
Sean Williamson, MD
Sanjay Mukhopadhyay, MD

Genitourinary Pathology

12:00 p.m.

Staging and Handling of Kidney Tumor Specimens
Sean Williamson, MD

12:45 p.m.

Common Consultation Challenges in Genitourinary Pathology
Sean Williamson, MD

1:30 p.m.

Question & Answer Period

1:45 p.m.

Refreshment Break and Exhibits

Gastrointestinal Pathology

2:30 p.m.

Updates in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma – What to Know and Include in Your Pathology Report
Erica Savage, MD

3:15 p.m.

MMR, HER2, and PD-L1, Oh My! – Biomarkers in Gastrointestinal Lesions
Erica Savage, MD

4:00 p.m.

Question & Answer Period

Pulmonary Pathology

4:15 p.m.

Thoracic Frozen Section Pitfalls: What to Say to Your Surgeon, and How to Stay Out of Trouble
Sanjay Mukhopadhyay, MD

5:00 p.m.

Not Your Grandpa’s Thoracic Pathology: Changes in Terminology, Ancillary Testing and Treatment In The Last 10 Years
Sanjay Mukhopadhyay, MD

5:45 p.m.

Question & Answer Period

6:00 p.m.

Adjourn

Saturday, 1/25

Saturday, January 25, 2025

7:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast and Exhibits

Head & Neck Pathology

7:45 a.m.

Challenges in Frozen Section Pathology of the Head & Neck
Vincent Cracolici, MD

8:30 a.m.

Modern Considerations in Salivary Gland Tumors
Vincent Cracolici, MD

9:15 a.m.

Question & Answer Period

9:30 a.m.

Refreshment Break and Exhibits

Gynecologic Pathology

10:00 a.m.

2023 FIGO Staging of Endometrial Carcinoma: Spotting the Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing
Erna Forgó, MD

10:45 a.m.

Biomarkers in Gynecologic Pathology: Knowing When to Order What and How to Interpret the Results
Erna Forgó, MD

11:30 a.m.

Question & Answer Period

11:45 a.m.

Lunch Served at Encore Las Vegas

Pulmonary Pathology

1:00 p.m.

Discord in the Thorax: Discrepancies Between Clinical Impression, Imaging, and Pathology
Sanjay Mukhopadhyay, MD

1:45 p.m.

My Approach to Pulmonary Infections
Sanjay Mukhopadhyay, MD

2:30 p.m.

Question & Answer Period

2:45 p.m.

Refreshment Break and Exhibits

Genitourinary Pathology

3:30 p.m.

Updates in Male External Genital Pathology
Sean Williamson, MD

4:15 p.m.

Odds and Ends: Genitourinary Pathology No One Talks About
Sean Williamson, MD

5:00 p.m.

Question & Answer Period

5:15 p.m.

Adjourn

Sunday, 1/26

Sunday, January 25, 2025

7:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast and Exhibits

Gastrointestinal Pathology

7:30 a.m.

Unintended Consequences – Iatrogenic/Medication Induced Gastrointestinal Injury
Erica Savage, MD

8:15 a.m.

Hepatocellular Lesions – From Adenoma to Carcinoma
Erica Savage, MD

9:00 a.m.

Question & Answer Period

9:15 a.m.

Refreshment Break and Exhibits

Head & Neck Pathology

9:30 a.m.

Follicular Patterned Thyroid Tumors
Vincent Cracolici, MD

10:30 a.m.

Aggressive Thyroid Malignancies
Vincent Cracolici, MD

11:15 a.m.

Question & Answer Period

Gynecologic Pathology

11:30 a.m.

Uterine Smooth Muscle Neoplasms: Defining the Blurry Lines
Erna Forgó, MD

12:15 p.m.

Mucinous Lesions of the Ovary: How to Recognize When Tumors Do Not Belong
Erna Forgó, MD

12:45 p.m.

Question & Answer Period

1:00 p.m.

Closing Remarks
Sean Williamson, MD
Sanjay Mukhopadhyay, MD

1:10 p.m.

Adjourn

Test Discontinuation: Creatine Kinase-Myocardial Band

Clinical Updates

Test Discontinuation – Creatine Kinase-Myocardial Band (CKMB)

Beginning June 11, 2024, Creatine Kinase-Myocardial Band (CKMB) testing (CKCKMB, MBE) will no longer be orderable at Cleveland Clinic.

Recommended Alternative Test: High-Sensitivity Troponin T (HSTNT)

Background

CKMB is an antiquated cardiac marker due to its limited clinical utility. Current guidelines recommend cardiac troponin testing as the biomarker of choice for myocardial injury due to its superior specificity and sensitivity. Additionally, co-testing with CKMB and troponin adds no incremental value.

This is supported by the American College of Cardiology (ACC), European Society of Cardiology (ESC), Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly AACC), American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), Cleveland Clinic’s Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Clinical Biochemistry Section, and Laboratory Stewardship Committee.

References

Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (PMID: 30571511)
Eliminating CKMB Testing in Suspected ACS: A Value-Based Quality Improvement (PMID: 28806444)
ESC Study Group on Cardiac Biomarkers of the Association for Acute CardioVascular Care: A Fond Farewell at the Retirement of CKMB (PMID: 33486520)

New Test: Alzheimer’s Disease Biomarker Panel, Cerebrospinal Fluid

Clinical Updates

New Test – Alzheimer’s Disease Biomarker Panel, Cerebrospinal Fluid

Alzheimer’s Disease Biomarker Panel, Cerebrospinal Fluid (ALZCSF) measures p-Tau181, Total-Tau, and β-Amyloid (1-42) (Abeta42).

Testing is performed on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from adult patients 55 years of age and older undergoing evaluation for Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of cognitive impairment to generate pTau181/Abeta42 and Total-Tau/Abeta42 ratios.

The new test requires a CSF Specimen Transport Tube and other modifications to the reporting format, which are detailed below.

Note: ADmark Phospho-Tau CSF (PHOTAU) testing, sent out to Athena, will be discontinued.

Test Overview

Test Name

Alzheimer’s Disease Biomarker Panel, Cerebrospinal Fluid

Test Code

ALZCSF

CPT Codes

83520 – QTY (3)

Methodology

Electro Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA)

Specimen Requirements

Type:
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Volume:
2.5 mL

Container:
CSF Transport Tube, 2.5 mL (Sarstedt)

Collection Instructions

Confirm that the tube type is correct – only a specimen collected in the Sarstedt CSF Transport Tube [ref. 63614.625] is acceptable.
Perform a lumbar puncture using the gravity drip collection method (preferred). Do not use the first 2 mL of CSF.
Collect CSF directly into the tube up to the fill line.
Inspect the sample for the presence of blood. Do not use CSF samples that appear reddish. Instead, collect additional clear (non-hemolytic) CSF in a new CSF tube.
Do not process the sample before sending it to the laboratory (i.e., do not invert, transfer, or aliquot).

Rejection Criteria

CSF collected in polystyrene or glass tubes

Bloody or hemolyzed specimens.

Unfilled tubes.

Stability

Ambient:
5 days

Refrigerated (preferred):
14 days

Frozen:
8 weeks (-20⁰C)

Days Performed

Days Performed
Once a week

Reported
1-8 days

Reporting

Component

p-Tau181/Abeta42

Total-Tau/Abeta42

p-Tau181

Total-Tau

Abeta42

Reference Interval

≤0.0230

≤0.280

≤31.3 pg/mL

≤375.4 pg/mL

≥564.2 pg/mL

Clinical Information

A negative p-Tau181/Abeta42 ratio and/or Total-Tau/Abeta42 ratio is consistent with a negative amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) scan and reduces the likelihood that a patient’s cognitive impairment is due to Alzheimer’s disease.

A p-Tau181/Abeta42 ratio and/or Total-Tau/Abeta42 ratio elevated above the cut-off is consistent with biological changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and a positive amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) scan. A positive result does not establish a diagnosis of AD or other cognitive disorders and should be interpreted as an adjunct to other clinical diagnostic information.

The ratios will not be calculated in samples with an Abeta42 concentration >2,500 pg/mL. This result is consistent with a negative amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) scan and reduces the likelihood that a patient’s cognitive impairment is due to Alzheimer’s disease.

The p-Tau181, Total-Tau, and Abeta42 tests are not intended to be used as a stand-alone test in spinal fluid. For interpretation of results, refer to the p-Tau181/Abeta42 and Total-Tau/Abeta42 ratios.

The test method is the Elecsys electrochemiluminescence immunoassay manufactured by Roche Diagnostics. Values determined by different assay methods cannot be used interchangeably.

The validity of this test interpretation requires strict adherence to the specimen collection and preparation instructions detailed in the Cleveland Clinic’s Test Directory.

January 2024: Send-Out Test Delays Caused by Weather

Immediate Test Notification

January 2024: Send-Out Test Delays Caused by Weather

Due to the recent winter weather, there are ongoing delays in the shipment of specimens from Cleveland Clinic Laboratories to reference laboratories, including ARUP, Mayo, LabCorp, Quest, National Jewish, Eurofins Viracor, and others.

Transportation vendors are working through operational backlogs, and we are communicating with vendors to ensure sample stability and perform testing as quickly as possible.

Please get in touch with your CCL Sales Manager or Client Services with any questions.

2024 Cleveland Clinic Laboratories Soft Tissue Pathology Course – Registration Now Open

Clinical Updates

Comprehensive & Immersive Soft Tissue Pathology Course

May 16-19, 2024

InterContinental Hotel at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus | Cleveland, OH

Overview

Join us for an Interactive, Immersive, and Comprehensive Soft Tissue Pathology Course

This four-day course is a one-of-a-kind experience set in the heart of one of the country’s busiest soft tissue pathology consultation practices.

During this course, pathologists will develop skills and tools to work-up and triage mesenchymal lesions encountered in every-day practice.

Symposium Director

Karen Fritchie, MD
Director, Soft Tissue Pathology

Course Objectives

Comprehend the utility of immunohistochemical, molecular techniques, and radiology studies in the work-up of soft tissue tumors
Develop a work-up strategy for the diagnosis of mesenchymal neoplasms
Identify common and uncommon soft tissue tumors
Recognize pitfalls commonly encountered in soft tissue pathology

Course Includes:

• Access to over 100 digital soft tissue cases
• Opportunity to tour our CCF pathology department
• Designated time for questions and discussion with faculty
• After-hours reception with participants and staff

Who Should Attend?

Pathologists, Pathology Residents & Fellows

CME Credits

This live activity is approved for continuing medical education credits. Read more.

Faculty Presenters

John Goldblum, MD
Chair, Department of Pathology

John Reith, MD
Staff Pathologist, Orthopaedic Pathology

Steven D. Billings, MD
Staff Pathologist, Dermatopathology & Soft Tissue Pathology

Scott Kilpatrick, MD
Director, Orthopaedic Pathology
Medical Director, Cleveland Clinic Laboratories

Brian Rubin, MD, PhD
Chair, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Institute

Josephine Dermawan, MD, PhD
Director, AP Molecular Pathology
Staff Pathologist, Soft Tissue & Orthopaedic Pathology

Jesse McKenney, MD
Staff Pathologist, Genitourinary & Gynecologic Pathology

Registration

Visit clevelandclinicmeded.com/live/courses/comprehensivesofttissue/ for complete registration information.

In-person fee includes:
Continental breakfasts, refreshment breaks, Saturday reception (in-person only), and online access to faculty PowerPoint presentations in PDF format pre and post-course.

Virtual option fee includes:
Access to view lectures and online access to faculty PowerPoint presentations.

Early Bird
on or before April 1, 2024

After
April 1, 2024

Physician (MD, Scientist, PhD)

$699

$749

Resident* / Fellow*

$349

$399

Non-Physician

$349

$399

*A letter from the program director is required to receive the discounted fee. If the letter is not received two weeks prior to the activity, the full physician fee will be charged.

Registration and Cancellation
Preregistrations are accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, May 13, 2024. Register onsite after this date. Contactless registration on your own device will be required.
In case of cancellation, an email notification is required to process your refund. A full refund will be issued if canceled by May 2, 2024. After May 2, 2024, a $125 cancellation fee will be deducted from your refund. No refunds will be issued after May 6, 2024.

For questions about registration or cancellation, email cmeregistration@ccf.org or call 216.448.8710.

General Information

Visit clevelandclinicmeded.com/live/courses/comprehensivesofttissue/ for complete registration information.

Location
InterContinental Cleveland
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
9801 Carnegie Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44106
216.707.4100
iccleveland.com

Hotel Accommodations
A limited block of rooms has been reserved at the InterContinental Cleveland through April 16, 2024, at 5 p.m. EDT.

To make reservations, please call the Hotel Reservation Department at 855.765.8709 and reference the CCF Soft Tissue Pathology Program or reserve online at https://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/live/courses/comprehensivesofttissue/ to receive the special rate of $209, plus tax.

For further information about this activity, contact Karen Fritchie, MD, at fritchk@ccf.org.

Participants claiming CME credit from this activity may submit the credit hours to the American Osteopathic Association for Category 2 credit.

Study References
Faculty presentations will also be available online in PDF format pre and post-course. You will have access to download or print the slides.

Agenda

Thursday

Thursday, May 16, 2024

7:30 am Continental Breakfast

8:00 am Course Introduction and Welcoming Remarks – Karen Fritchie, MD

8:15 am Slide Preview, Staff Q&A

11:00 am Lunch – On Your Own

12:00 pm When (and when not) to do MDM2 fluorescence in situ hybridization – Karen Fritchie, MD

1:00 pm Adipocytic tumors (slide review) – John Goldblum, MD

2:30 pm Break

3:00 pm Smooth muscle/pericytic tumors and their mimics (slide review) – John Goldblum, MD

4:00 pm Soft tissue tumors with skeletal muscle differentiation (slide review) – Scott Kilpatrick, MD

5:00 pm Matrix-forming mesenchymal neoplasms (slide review) – Karen Fritchie, MD

6:00 pm Adjourn

Friday

Friday, May 17, 2024

7:30 am Continental Breakfast

8:00 am Slide Preview, Staff Q&A

10:15 am Tour of Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Pathology – Optional (non-CME)

11:00 am Lunch – On your own

12:00 pm Common myofibroblastic lesions (slide review) – Karen Fritchie, MD

1:30 pm Practical approach to uterine mesenchymal neoplasms – Jesse McKenney, MD

2:30 pm Fibrohistiocytic tumors – Steven Billings, MD

3:00 pm Break

3:30 pm Practical approach to synovial biopsies – John Reith, MD

4:30 pm Tumors of uncertain histiogenesis – Steven Billings, MD

6:00 pm Adjourn

Saturday

Saturday, May 18, 2024

7:30 am Continental Breakfast

8:00 am Slide Preview, Staff Q&A

11:00 am Lunch – On your own

12:00 pm Vascular tumors – Steven Billings, MD

1:30 pm Diagnosing soft tissue tumors with “NextGen” immunohistochemistry – Scott Kilpatrick, MD

3:00 pm Break

3:30 pm The importance of morphologic correlation with molecular results – Josephine Dermawan, MD, PhD

6:00 pm Reception with Attendees & Cleveland Clinic Staff

Sunday

Sunday, May 19, 2024

7:30 am Continental Breakfast

8:00 am Slide Preview, Staff Q&A

10:00 am Peripheral nerve sheath tumors – Brian Rubin, MD, PhD

11:00 am How to work up a pleomorphic sarcoma – Karen Fritchie, MD

12:00 pm Course Conclusion & Adjourn

Order Aptima® Multitest Swab Collection Kits

July 2023: Updates to Genital & Sexual Health Specimen Collection

Clinical Updates

Updates to Genital & Sexual Health Specimen Collection

Follow these guidelines for specimen submission in accordance with changes outlined in the May 2023 Technical Update.

Effective July 17, 2023, the laboratory will reject incorrectly submitted specimens.

Aptima® Multitest Swab

Aptima® Multitest Swab Collection Kit

This kit is used for the following tests:

Gonorrhea & Chlamydia (GCCT)
Mycoplasma genitalium (MYGAMP)
Trichomonas vaginalis (TRVAMP)
Candida & Trichomonas (CVTV)
Bacterial Vaginosis (BVAMP)

Sample Type

Gonorrhea & Chlamydia (GCCT)

Mycoplasma genitalium (MYGAMP)

Trichomonas vaginalis (TRVAMP)

Candida & Trichomonas (CVTV)

Bacterial Vaginosis (BVAMP)

Clinician-Collected Vaginal Swab

✓ ✓ ✓

Patient-Collected Vaginal Swab

✓ ✓ ✓

Patient-Collected Penile Meatal Swab

✓ ✓

Clinician-Collected Throat Swab

✓ ✓ ✓

Clinician-Collected Rectal Swab

✓ ✓ ✓

FDA-approved and preferred

✓ ✓

FDA-approved and acceptable

✓

FDA-approved but not recommended due to inferior
performance

Lab-Developed Test (not FDA-approved)

Aptima® Unisex Swab

Aptima® Unisex Swab Collection Kit

This kit is used for the following tests:

Gonorrhea & Chlamydia (GCCT)
Mycoplasma genitalium (MYGAMP)
Trichomonas vaginalis (TRVAMP)

Order Aptima® Unisex Swab Collection Kits

Sample Type

Gonorrhea & Chlamydia (GCCT)

Mycoplasma genitalium (MYGAMP)

Trichomonas vaginalis (TRVAMP)

Candida & Trichomonas (CVTV)

Bacterial Vaginosis (BVAMP)

Clinician-Collected Endocervical Swab

✓ ✓

✓

✓ ✓

Clinician-Collected Male Urethral Swab

✓ ✓

✓ ✓ ✓

FDA-approved and preferred

✓ ✓

FDA-approved and acceptable

✓

FDA-approved but not recommended due to inferior
performance

Lab-Developed Test (not FDA-approved)

Aptima® Urine Kit

Aptima® Urine Specimen Collection Kit

This kit is used for the following tests:

Gonorrhea & Chlamydia (GCCT)
Mycoplasma genitalium (MYGAMP)
Trichomonas vaginalis (TRVAMP)

Order Aptima® Urine Specimen Collection Kits

Sample Type

Gonorrhea & Chlamydia (GCCT)

Mycoplasma genitalium (MYGAMP)

Trichomonas vaginalis (TRVAMP)

Candida & Trichomonas (CVTV)

Bacterial Vaginosis (BVAMP)

Female Urine

✓

Male Urine

✓ ✓ ✓

✓ ✓ ✓

✓ ✓ ✓

FDA-approved and preferred

✓ ✓

FDA-approved and acceptable

✓

FDA-approved but not recommended due to inferior
performance

Lab-Developed Test (not FDA-approved)

Aptima® Transfer Kit

Aptima® Specimen Transfer Kit

Note: This can only be ordered as an add-on test by contacting Client Services.

This kit is used for the following tests:

Gonorrhea & Chlamydia (GCCT)
Trichomonas vaginalis (TRVAMP)

Sample Type

Gonorrhea & Chlamydia (GCCT)

Mycoplasma genitalium (MYGAMP)

Trichomonas vaginalis (TRVAMP)

Candida & Trichomonas (CVTV)

Bacterial Vaginosis (BVAMP)

ThinPrep® PreservCyt®

✓

✓ ✓ ✓

FDA-approved and preferred

✓ ✓

FDA-approved and acceptable

✓

FDA-approved but not recommended due to inferior
performance

Lab-Developed Test (not FDA-approved)

Per the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Myelodysplastic Syndromes Guidelines [version 1.2023 (09/12/22)]:

July 2023: Updates to Recommended Myelodysplastic Syndrome Testing

Clinical Updates

Updates to Recommended Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) Testing

Effective August 17, 2023.

Cleveland Clinic Laboratories’ Molecular Pathology & Cytogenomics section offers several testing options for individuals suspected to have Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS):

Chromosome Analysis Only CHRBMH
Chromosome Analysis with reflex to FISH with MDS Panel* (if there are no chromosome results or the chromosome analysis was sub-optimal) CHRMDS
Chromosome Analysis with reflex to Microarray (CMA) BMCHF

FISH Only with MDS Panel*, blood FSHMDS
FISH Only with MDS Panel*, bone marrow FSMDSM

*MDS Panel contains FISH probes specific to chromosomes 5, 7, 8, and 20.

Testing Guidelines

If standard cytogenetics (with ≥20 metaphases) cannot be obtained, a chromosome microarray [(CMA), also known as chromosome genomic array testing (CGAT)] or MDS-related fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) panel should be performed. If karyotype is normal, consider CMA. Note that CMA will detect not only somatic but constitutional (germline) changes.

Recommended Testing

In keeping with the NCCN guidelines, Chromosome Analysis with Reflex to FISH (CHRMDS) is Cleveland Clinic Laboratories’ recommended test for individuals suspected to have MDS.

Discontinued Testing

Beginning August 17, 2023, the FISH Only with MDS Panel (FSHMDS & FSMDSM) for blood and bone marrow will be discontinued.
Note: Chromosome Analysis Only (CHRBMH) and Chromosome Analysis with reflex to Microarray (BMCHF) may still be ordered.

Questions?

Please contact your CCL Sales Manager or Client Services at 800.628.6816.