Gross and Microscopic Pathology
Related Information
Synonyms Biopsy; Hematopathology; Histopathology; Microscopic Section; Neuropathology; OB/GYN Pathology; Pathologic Examination; Pathology; Surgical Pathology; Tissue Examination; Tissue Pathology
Test Includes Gross examination only, and/or gross and microscopic examination and diagnosis. Imprints may be made if the tissue is fresh and unfixed, and if indications for imprints exist. Special studies if needed.
Laboratory Neuropathology, Sloane (OB/GYN) Pathology, Renal Pathology, Surgical Pathology
Request Form Anatomic Pathology Form for Neuropathology and Surgical Pathology; OB/GYN Pathology Form for Sloane (OB/GYN) Pathology
Phone Gross Room Laboratory 6-2769; Neuropathology: 6-4531; Sloane Pathology (OB/GYN) 7-3531; Surgical Pathology 6-6719
Availability Mon-Fri, 9 AM - 5 PM
Turnaround Time 2-4 working days; tissue requiring decalcification, special stains, or prior fixation may affect turnaround.
Special Instructions Information regarding type of specimen, admitting diagnosis, and pertinent clinical history (ie, age, LMP (if female), clinical impression, past diagnoses, radiographic findings, and history of radiation or chemotherapy) is essential to interpretation and should be noted on the requisition. Special handling requirements (isolation) should clearly be noted on the requisition. See handling instructions in Muscle Biopsy, Estrogen Receptor Assay/Progesterone Receptor Assay, Bone Marrow Biopsy, Pathology Consultation, etc.
Specimen Fresh tissue or tissue fixed in 10% buffered formalin
Volume Entire specimen
Container Specimen bottles with 10% buffered neutral formalin, or large plastic buckets or bag
Collection Specimens from small biopsy are to be placed immediately in 10% formalin solution. Use approximately 10-20 times as much formalin solution as the bulk of the tissue. Small tissues (eg, those from bronchoscopic biopsy, bladder biopsy, and endometrium) can be ruined very quickly by placing in saline or allowing to dry. The following tissues should always be placed in formalin: small skin tumors and moles, uterine curettings, cervical biopsy, breast biopsy, nerve or brain tissue or tumors, prostate tissue from TUR bladder tumors, nerves and ganglia, rectal polyps, (ENT) biopsy. Lymph node (except if to rule out lymphoma), bone tumors, intervertebral disc tissue, gallbladder, liver biopsy, bronchoscopic biopsy, fallopian tube segments, or any biopsy from any other site not listed. All other specimens must be placed in the Pathology Laboratory refrigerator as soon as possible after procedure. Label with patient's name, unit number, date, time of collection, and type of specimen. All specimens should be sent to the Pathology Laboratory as soon as conveniently possible in order to expedite the processing which leads to the eventual microscopic diagnosis. Please do not leave the specimen in the operating room until the final clean-up after the patient has gone to recover. When no one is in the Pathology Laboratory (eg, weekends, holidays, evenings), tissue specimens should be logged into the pathology transport log book and refrigerated at a designated pathology transport location.
Storage Instructions Tissue in 10% formalin may be stored if necessary, but fresh specimens must be sent immediately to the Pathology Laboratory. Refrigerate all specimens if after hours.
Causes for Rejection Incomplete patient information/history, mislabeled specimen container, unlabeled specimen, no requisition form, missing attending physician name
Reference Range Results interpreted by pathologist
Use Histologic diagnosis
Limitations Tissue fixed in formalin cannot be used or is less than optimal for bacteriological culture, electron microscopy, and certain types of histochemistry or frozen sections.
Methodology Gross and microscopic examination with H & E stain; special stains and special studies if needed
Additional Information "RUSH" cases: Arrangements must be made in advance with the pathologist assigned to "rush" cases. Please also indicate "rush" and the reason for this designation on the requisition form.
Large specimens: Definitive large resection specimens (eg, colectomy, gastrectomy, etc) do best if opened promptly after resection, in the Pathology Laboratory, then allowed to fix. Specimens received in late afternoon will often require overnight fixation resulting in an added 24 hours to the turnaround.
Work-up cases: The pathologists reserve the right to work up cases according to their best medical judgment. This sometimes requires special stains or other studies.
