title: Intraoperative consultation in gynecologic pathology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gynecologic specimens are commonly submitted for intraoperative consultation, primarily to confirm the presence and histologic type of malignancy, as well as to determine the adequacy of resection by examining the surgical margins.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review and discuss the application, indications, contraindications, and limitations of intraoperative consultation regarding gynecologic specimens, as well as the causes of false-positive or false-negative frozen section results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of the pertinent literature and the authors' expertise and experience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In most instances, intraoperative consultation regarding gynecologic specimens accurately determines the type of malignancy, the status of the resection margins or the lymph nodes, and the extent and depth of involvement by a tumor. Although the pathologist and the surgeon must be aware of the limitations, the use of intraoperative consultation represents a highly sensitive and specific technique that can play a critical role in the management of gynecologic disease.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pathology, The Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. dcoffey@tmh.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coffey
authors.forename: Alan L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ramzy
mesh_terms: D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005629:Frozen Sections / Q000379:methods; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D010340:Pathology, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results