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Unit Code 4993:
Electron Microscopy

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Specimen Required

Factors affecting specimen quality are as follows.

 

To optimize the study, we suggest special attention to the following:

1. Sampling:  The specimen should be representative; thus, we

     suggest reducing sampling error by obtaining tissue fragments
     from several sites of the lesion. Place specimen in glutaraldehyde

     (3%) or Trump's fixative (4% formalin:1% glutaraldehyde) (Supply

     T130) as soon as it is taken. To cut tissue, always use a sharp

     razor blade or scalpel; and avoid crushing tissue.

    Note:   1.  For ciliary morphology studies, nasal brushings are

                          preferable to nasal biopsies.

                    2.  If ceroid lipofuscinosis is requested, the preferred

                          specimen is buffy coat fixed in 2% glutaraldehyde

                          or Trump's fixative and 5 mL of ACD (solution B)

                          whole blood (solution A or heparinized whole blood

                          will also be accepted).

                    3.  If cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with

                          with sub-cortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy is

                          requested, submit skin biopsy fixed in glutaraldehyde

      or Trump's fixative; blood is not an acceptable specimen

4.   Lung, liver, or heart tissue specimens submitted for electron

      microscopy (EM) must be ordered in conjunction with #5439

      "Surgical Pathology Consultation." Submit the appropriate

      slides, blocks, preliminary pathology report, and brief

      explanatory note along with the tissue for EM.  

                          The consultant will determine the need for EM studies.

 

2. Specimen size:  Optimal preservation requires rapid fixation.

     In view of the slow penetration of glutaraldehyde (1 mm/hour),

     specimens should not exceed 1 mm in largest dimension.

3. Fixation:  Either glutaraldehyde (3%) or Trump's fixative (4%

     formalin:1% glutaraldehyde) (Supply T130) is optimal. If no

     tissues fixed primarily in glutaraldehyde are available, shavings

     can be taken from the surface of tissues in formalin, where fixation

     was most rapidly achieved. As a last resort, paraffin-embedded

     tissues can be run-back to aqueous-phase solution and processed

     for ultrastructural study; however, in such preparations (paraffin-

     embedded), fine structural detail invariably is poor. If a paraffin

     block is the only tissue available for study, we prefer that the block

     be submitted.

Note:    1. Physician's name and phone number, tissue type,

                 hematoxylin-and-eosin stained section, several unstained

                 slides or a representative paraffin block, and clinical

                 information are required for processing.

             2. If ordering electronically, no form is required with the specimen.

                      If not ordering electronically, please complete and submit a

                       "Pathology/Cytology In Situ Request Form" (Supply T246)

                      with the specimen.

Transport Temperature

Ambient\Refrig NO\Frozen NO

Reject Due To

Specimens Other Than:                

Anticoagulants Other Than:           NA

Hemolysis:                                          NA

Thawing:                                              NA

Lipemia:                                               NA

Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed

Monday through Thursday; Varies

Key