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Delegates will understand:

The pathophysiological aspects of Vitamin B12.
The role of the laboratory in the diagnosis of Vitamin B12 deficiency.

The public health side of drug misuse

Newborn screening (NBS) is an essential public health strategy aimed at identifying newborn babies that are affected by certain genetic, metabolic and infectious conditions. NBS enables the early detection and management of several congenital disorders, which if left untreated, may lead to mental retardation and/or death. Early diagnosis and instigation of treatment, along with appropriate long-term care help ensure normal growth and development of the affected individual.

The Sheffield Regional NBS Laboratory is one of the largest newborn screening laboratories in the UK testing around 65,000 newborn bloodspot samples per year and has been an integral part of routine newborn care for the region of South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and East Midlands. Newborn screening in the United Kingdom now includes screening for 10 conditions including multiple metabolic, haemoglobinopathies and only recently severe combined immunodeficiency - all detectable though multiplex laboratory procedures.

This presentation will briefly review the implementation of newborn screening in the region, including a brief history and justification for newborn screening, laboratory detection and diagnosis of the screening condition, the referral pathway/notification to a regional consultant paediatrician for initiation of treatment of the condition/follow up testing and conclude with a case study.

Cell blocks from Diagnostic Cytopathology (DC) samples have always had value in the diagnostic process as a complement to the traditional cytology stains – Papanicolaou and Romanowsky. It has become more important to provide material for Immunocytochemistry to refine malignant diagnosis, and more recently, the use of molecular testing to aid in the choice of tailored chemotherapy regimens. If this information can be obtained from DC samples, which are less invasive than biopsy samples, the patient will benefit.

External Quality Assurance of cell block preparations has up to now been covered by the Tissue Diagnostic scheme. However, this is not entirely appropriate as cytopathology departments use a variety of cell block preparation methods and fixatives. The increase in number of cell block Haematoxylin and Eosin slides submitted to our evaluation service and the queries we receive regarding advice on best preparation methods suggested there was a need for a separate scheme for evaluation of cell blocks. A circulated survey indicated that there is a need for such a scheme. In response to this we performed 2 pilot studies which were well supported and successful, leading to the launch of the live scheme in April 2023.

This presentation covers the development of the scheme and the results of the 2 pilots. As an ongoing process the scheme will be able to garner information about ‘best methods’ and this can be passed on to laboratories experiencing problems and improve standards. UKNEQAS CPT is not just a ‘tick box’ service for UKAS, it is also an advisory service which aims to improve diagnostic practices.

Update on endocervical adencarcinomas

Upper GI tract

A brief overview of two interesting case studies in uropathology covering the normal histology of the kidney and prostate, the common tumour types/pathologies and the potential challenges or differential diagnoses that may need to be considered.

The aim of this presentation is to explain the growing importance of the use of cytopathology cell blocks in the diagnostic process and how this has evolved over recent years. In the past they were used as an 'extra' to the traditional Papanicolaou and Romanowsky stains whereas now they have an essential role in providing material for ancillary testing - immunocytochemistry and molecular studies.

The variety of methods of cell block preparation will be covered and why it is important that a department choses what method, or methods, are best suited to what is required from the finished result.

We are living through a world of change. COVID has had a long-lasting impact on how the next generation learn and the skills they have when entering higher education. Black Lives Matter emphasises once again the barriers to learning faced by so many marginalised members of our communities. An inclusive curriculum aims at eliminating barriers by embracing difference and fostering a strong sense of belonging. It enriches the learning experience to enable students to develop empathy, cultural competence, and responsibility for social cohesion.

Whats new in Diagnostic Cytology (Reporting systems; biomarker testing)