The Department of Pathology renders diagnostic services by light microscopy of all kinds of pathological material, to most Ministry of Health hospitals within the Sultanate of Oman. The department also provides a frozen section service to the Royal Hospital. In keeping with modern technology, the processing and staining of tissues has been recently automated with the most up to date equipment.
The department is composed of two sections:
Histopathology section – receiving mainly surgical and endoscopic tissue specimens. In addition, it provides immunohistochemistry services for The Royal Hospital, all MOH hospitals and the Armed Forces Hospital. It includes an extensive immunohistochemistry section with over 100 antibodies, for the diagnosis of tumours & classification of lymphomas as an aid to the National Oncology Centre. All breast carcinomas with Her2 resulted as (2+) are sent for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) test. Recently introduced tests offered include KRAS & EGFR molecular assays for specific gene targeted therapies and enzyme histochemistry for the diagnosis of myopathies.
The department is composed of two sections:
Histopathology section – receiving mainly surgical and endoscopic tissue specimens. In addition, it provides immunohistochemistry services for The Royal Hospital, all MOH hospitals and the Armed Forces Hospital. It includes an extensive immunohistochemistry section with over 100 antibodies, for the diagnosis of tumours & classification of lymphomas as an aid to the National Oncology Centre. All breast carcinomas with Her2 resulted as (2+) are sent for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) test. Recently introduced tests offered include KRAS & EGFR molecular assays for specific gene targeted therapies and enzyme histochemistry for the diagnosis of myopathies.
Cytopathology section - dealing with the preparation & screening of cervical smears, fluids and fine needle aspiration material, from The Royal hospital, The Diwan and many MOH hospitals in the Sultanate. Liquid based cytology has been added since 2006, for both gynae & non-gynae cases from the Royal Hospital.SENIOR STAFF
Dr. Fatma Ali Ramadhan Al Lawati, FRCPath, Sr. Consultant & Head
Dr. Sosamma Thomas, FRCPath, Senior Consultant
Dr. Indira Praseeda, MDPath. Senior Specialist
Dr. Gunmala Bhatnagar, MDPath. Senior Specialist
Dr. Uday Gokhale, MDPath. Specialist
Dr. Rebecca Varghese, MDPath. Junior Specialist
Dr. Sheetal Shetty, MDPath. Junior Specialist
Mr. Trevor Wicks, FIBMS (UK), CBMS Histopathology.
WORKLOADThe annual laboratory turnover includes about 12,000 histopathology requests, 30-60 frozen section requests, about 7,000 cytology requests, over 8,300 immunohistochemistry requests and 160 referral cases from other MOH hospitals.
ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES
The department is a recognized centre for post-graduate training for the Royal College of Pathologists, (UK). Presently, there are 10 residents on rotation in various departments/hospitals.
CME activities include:
Tumour Board - weekly multidisciplinary presentations of tumour cases. Slide seminars once every 2 weeks,
Journal clubs once every 2 weeks.
Monthly seminars by Residents.
Clinico-pathological conferences & clinical meetings.
Didactic lectures for residents
Weekly case presentations
Monthly technical Continuing Education Programme
The department has also been hosting annual Updates in Pathology since 2004, inviting international speakers. FNA workshops are conducted with surgeons & clinicians, every alternate year.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Along with an internal quality control programme, the department also participates in The Royal College of Pathologists of Australia Quality Assurance Programme (RCPAQAP) for the following modules - Anatomical Pathology, Cytopathology, Technical, Diagnostic Immunohistochemistry & Virtual Pediatric Pathology, along with the UK NEQAS programme for Her2neu.
