Test ID: 4339
Dermatopathology Exam of Tissue
Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Tissue
Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Sources: Skin or oral mucosa
Container/Tube: Regular serum vials with 10% formalin (Supply T101)
Specimen Volume: Entire specimen
Collection Instructions: For scalp biopsies when the differential diagnosis includes a scarring alopecia, 2 separate 4-mm punch biopsies are recommended (1 for vertical and 1 for horizontal sections). If a single scalp biopsy is received with the clinical diagnosis of a scarring alopecia, the specimen will be processed with horizontal sections.
Additional Information: Biopsy site, physician's name, and clinical diagnosis are required.
Forms: If not ordering electronically, submit a Dermatopathology/Immunodermatology Request Form (Supply T060) with the specimen.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Size needed depends on diagnosis and size of lesion.
Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | NA |
| Lipemia | NA |
| Icterus | NA |
| Other | NA |
Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tissue | Ambient (preferred) | |
| Refrigerated | ||


