The main purpose of this Manual is to provide useful guidelines for the selection of pathology tests and to facilitate interpretation of results.
Contains a comprehensive listing of all genes from the Human Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC) database alongside laboratories and tests available in the country.
A manual for the process of macroscopic dissection in Anatomical Pathology laboratories.
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Keywords: Osmotic gap, Osm Gap, Osmolar gap
Osmolality is the concentration per weight solvent (mmol/kg)
Osmolarity is the concentration solute per volume solvent (mmol/L)
Osmolal gap is the measured Osmolality minus Osmolarity (mmol/kg)
5 mL blood in plain tube.
Freezing point depression; vapour pressure osmometers are unsuitable for detecting solvents.
A number of formulas have been used to calculate osmolality, some of which include potassium in the calculation. For example:
Calculated Osmolarity (mmol/L) = 1.86 (Na + K) + Glucose + Urea + 10.
Osmotic gap = measured Osmolality minus calculated Osmolarity.
Neonate: 270-290 mmol/kg
Adult: 275-295 mmol/kg
Suspected poisoning with alcohol, methanol, ethylene glycol, acetone, isopropanol, diethyl ether or paraldehyde.
Rarely of assistance for the assessment of water and electrolyte balance in conjunction with urine osmolality.
This test is not routinely indicated in Hypernatraemia, Hyponatraemia, hyperglycaemia or uraemia.
An increased osmotic gap indicates the presence of alcohol or other osmotically active substances.
Urine osmolality measurements may assist interpretation. See also Osmolality urine.
Penney MD and Walters G. Ann Clin Biochem 1987; 24: 566-571.
Bhagat CI et al. Clin Chem 1984; 30: 1703-1705.
Rose BD and Post TW. Clinical physiology of acid base and electrolyte disorders. 2001.
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The RCPA is the leading organisation representing Pathologists and Senior Scientists in Australasia.
Its mission is to train and support pathologists and senior scientists and to improve the use of pathology testing to achieve better healthcare.
The annual scientific meeting for the RCPA which covers the scientific disciplines of Anatomical, Chemical, Forensic, Genetic, General, Haematology, Immunopathology and Microbiology.
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