The total numbers of neurons and glial and endothelial cells in five rat spinal cords were estimated by stereological techniques. Each spinal cord was divided into 12 slabs of equal length. One transverse and one oblique slice was cut from each slab. The volumes of gray and white matter of each cord were then estimated by point-counting techniques on the transverse slices. By means of optical disectors and systematic sampling, the numerical densities of different cell types were estimated on 35 microns-thick plastic sections from the oblique slices. The total cell number was calculated by multiplying the numerical density by the total volume of gray and white matter. On average there were 15.1 and 21.1 million cells in white and gray matter, respectively. Of the cells in gray matter, 6.4 million were judged to be neurons, 4.3 million to be endothelial, and 10.3 million to be glial. Of the neurons, 1.7 million were located in the cervical region, 2.5 million in the thoracic, 1.6 million in the lumbar, and 0.6 million in the sacro-coccygeal region. The methods used are simple to perform, and the counting necessary to obtain a reliable estimate of cell number from one spinal cord can be carried out during the course of 1 day. The only major problem is reliable criteria for unambiguous cell classification.
Objective.-To investigate use and long-term effect of this structured template in one of the first laboratories implementing the template for routine diagnostic work.Design.-All histopathology reports (n = 123) in the 1-year period prior to implementation were evaluated with respect to presence of key parameters. Likewise, all histopathology reports (n = 1186) in the 5-year period after implementation were evaluated with respect to template use and presence of key parameters.Results.-The electronic template had been used in 1089 (91.8%) of the 1186 cases. Template use was stable in the entire 5-year period, and had significantly improved upon the presence of data on 7 of 11 key parameters valid for both the preimplementation and the postimplementation period. Eight hundred and twenty-two (75.5%) of the 1089 template reports contained information on all key parameters, compared to just 20 (16.3%) of the 123 free text reports in the 1-year preimplementation period.Conclusion.-Electronic template reporting has a significant and sustainable long-term, positive effect upon the quality of histopathology reports.
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