Surgical Pathology Neuropathology - Muscle Biopsy

Specimen processing and diagnostic interpretation.

Surgical Pathology Neuropathology - Muscle Biopsy

Neuropathology Lab personnel (pathologist and / or histotechnologist) should be informed by the clinician regarding the approximate time and the day of the biopsy, at least 1 day in advance by calling 531-8715. Laboratory personnel should be called as soon as the patient is taken to the OR.

Any questions concerning specimen collection can be directed to the pathology resident or staff pathologist on service during weekdays 8 AM to 5 PM or on-call at other times. This information is available by calling the Anatomic Pathology Office at 8246 weekdays 8 AM to 5 PM or from the HMC operators at other times.

Neuropathology Lab personnel (pathologist and / or histotechnologist) should be informed by the clinician regarding the approximate time and the day of the biopsy, at least 1 day in advance by calling 531-8715. Laboratory personnel should be called as soon as the patient is taken to the OR.

Neuropathology Lab personnel (pathologist and / or histotechnologist) should be informed by the clinician regarding the approximate time and the day of the biopsy, at least 1 day in advance by calling 531-8715. Laboratory personnel should be called as soon as the patient is taken to the OR. For routine biopsies, muscle such as deltoid, biceps, lateral vastus or gastocnemius should be used. In chronic disorders, the severely affected muscle should be avoided. In acute disorders a more severely affected muscle should be chosen. The site of prior trauma such as E.M.G. electrode insertion should be avoided.

STAT requests should be kept to a minimum. All STAT requests must be approved by a staff pathologist, and the histology laboratory notified as soon as possible whenever a STAT is anticipated.

Biopsy results are generally available 24 to 48 hours after a specimen is accessioned. Completed specimen results are available on PowerChart. Inquires for status of current specimens may be obtained by calling extension (717) 531-8246 during weekdays from 8 AM to 5 PM. STAT's received in the laboratory by Noon on weekdays will usually be approved. Specimens received after 3 PM on weekdays, at night, weekends and holidays will be accepted only under special circumstances. Turn-around-time for STAT results varies from 4 hour to 6 hours.

The usual indication for muscle biopsy is muscle weakness. However, useful information may be obtained from muscle biopsy in cases without overt weakness, such as collagen vascular disease (particularly vasculitides). Biopsies from very young infants (first few weeks) should be avoided due to the difficulty in interpretation.