Specimen Information

*Instructions can be obtained from Surgical Pathology office (847-5121). Biopsy Collection Kits for kidney, muscle, and nerve, can be obtained from Histology (847-2712). Allow 72 hours for kit shipment to your facility.

Tissue Preparation

Specimens should be put into Karnovsky’s Fixative as soon as possible after removal from the patient.  Karnovsky’s Fixative is available from the Histology laboratory at the Main Campus.  Both Glutaraldehyde fixatives and Phosphate Buffer can be obtained by calling (802)656-0813. The size of the tissue blocks should be less than 1mm on a side.  If delay in transport to the laboratory is expected to exceed 24 hours, the specimens should be transferred from Karnovsky’s into 0.1M Phosphate Buffer after 2 hours fixation time.  Be sure to label containers as Karnovsky’s or Buffer.  Please call (802)847-3566 before shipping overnight express.  Do not send on Thursday, Friday,  or on  weekends.

Nerve biopsies require special handling see Special Handling for Kidney, Muscle, Nerve Biopsies  below.

Tissue Specimens may be shipped in fixative or buffer to:

Attn.:  Surgical Pathology Office

Department of Anatomic Pathology

ACC East Pavilion 2

University of Vermont Medical Center

Burlington, VT  05401

*Special Handling for Kidney. Muscle, Nerve Biopsies

Call Histology for instructions and Biopsy Collection Kit, (802)847-2712 at least 72 hoursin advance of obtaining biopsy to have the kit FedExed to your institution. Biopsy Collection kit contain fixation solutions for light microscopy and electron microscopy. Instructions on how to freeze biopsy are also included. Frozen specimens must be shipped on dry ice Monday-Wednesday. (do not ship on Thursday, Friday or on weekends)

Nerve biopsy specimens must be tied with a suture at each end and suspended in fixative by means of the suture at one end and a small weight at the other.  This prevents curling and shrinkage of the tissue.  Nerves for EM must be fixed in a solution of 3.6% Glutaraldehyde in 0.1M Phosphate Buffer.  Nerves for Histology must be fixed in 2.5% Glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M Phosphate Buffer.

Test Schedule

Electron microscopy for tumors is expected to be completed within 48 hours. Other tissues will generally take 7-10 working days to complete  and report.  Please call Microscopy Imaging Center at (802)656-0813 for a specific estimate.