SECTION ELEVEN
Dahl-Chase Diagnostic Services
SEND-OUT TESTS
Calculi:
For crystallographic analysis of calculi.
This testing is done at Quest Diagnostics Laboratories for Dahl-Chase routinely on renal stones and ureteral stones. It may also be ordered on bladder, prostate, salivary gland, and gallbladder calculi.
– Specimen should be received fresh or in saline and sent as dry as possible.
Cytogenetics Testing:
This testing is sent to Affiliated Laboratory, Inc. by Dahl-Chase.
- Tissues that may be sent include small fragments of villous tissue, skin, or pericardium from a fetus, or as indicated for a specific test
- The tissue should be placed in RPMI pink tissue medium at the time of collection whenever possible. Otherwise, the tissue needs to be received fresh, sterile in saline.
- An ALI genetics requisition should be submitted with the specimen.
- Formalin must not be used as this will make the specimen unacceptable for cytogenetics.
Eyes:
This testing is to provide special studies on eyes not performed at Dahl-Chase Diagnostic Services.
The specimen is the entire globe or corneal transplant and is sent to the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.
- Specimen must be fixed in 10% buffered formalin for a minimum of 24 hours.
- A Pathology Information form and Requisition from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary needs to be completed by the clinician and it must accompany the specimen to Dahl-Chase.
- There is an example of these forms following the list of send outs.
Implants:
Bone Implants and Prosthesis are sent to the Thayer School of Engineering for further studies.
- The implant/prosthesis and an Implant retrieval form completed by the surgeon are sent to Dahl-Chase for transport to Thayer.
- There is an example of the Implant Retrieval form following this list of send out testing.
Liver Biopsy for Iron or Copper studies:
This testing is done at Mayo Medical Laboratories for Dahl-Chase Diagnostic Services.
- Need to be sent dry and fresh in a metal free container provided by the grossing room (call941-8252)
- A minimum of 2 mg of liver tissue is required. Needle biopsies should be at least 0.5cm long
- If routine processing is required, a separate piece of tissue should be submitted in formalin.
Muscle Biopsies for Muscular dystrophy and inflammatory muscle disorders:
This testing is done at Fletcher Allen Health Care for Dahl-Chase.
It is used in the diagnosis of muscular dystrophy (in children) and inflammatory muscle disorders (in adults).
Muscle tissue is obtained and transferred to Dahl-Chase Diagnostic Services for shipment.
- Arrangements must be made with Dahl-Chase Diagnostic Services 24 hours in advance of the procedure by calling 941-8252. Uniship courier must be called in advance to pick up the specimen (848-7546).
- Muscle biopsy clamps are necessary for these specimens and arrangements must be made in advance to ensure the clamps are available.
- A Dahl-Chase requisition should be completed thoroughly and submitted with the specimen. It is imperative that a detailed clinical history including the biopsy site be on the requisition.
- The turn around time for this test is approximately 2 weeks from the date ordered.
Specimen requirements:
- Two biopsies should be taken from the same site with muscle clamps.
- A third biopsy, if possible, unclamped, should be sent for possible biochemical studies.
- The size of the biopsy is important. Each piece should be about 1x1x0.5cm.
- If clinically warranted (ex. Dermatomyositis), a piece of skin may also be submitted.
- Once removed, the biopsies should be placed between gauze dampened with saline.
- Place the specimens in a bag labeled with the patient’s full name and tissue source.
- Place on wet ice in a Styrofoam container and send with Uniship.
Renal biopsies for light microscopy, immunofluorescence, or electron microscopy:
This testing is done at Mayo Clinic Renal Pathology Laboratory for Dahl-Chase.
- Need either percutaneous needle biopsies or wedge biopsy.
- Submit fresh or in saline soaked gauze.
- Immediate delivery is required.
- Submit requisition stating what testing is requested along with a completed Renal biopsy data form from Mayo Clinic Renal Pathology Lab available by calling 941-8252. Please see example of this form following this list of send out testing.
- The turn around time for this test is approximately one week to ten days from the date ordered.
Skin for immunofluorescence:
This testing is done at Mayo Medical Laboratories Dermatopathology department for Dahl-Chase
It is direct immunofluorescence (IF) studies of skin biopsies to detect IgG, IgM, IgA, C3 and fibrinogen deposition.
- Need at least 4mm of skin (punch biopsy), taken immediately adjacent to (but not from) the lesion.
- Submit in Michels medium (order by calling 941-8252) or in saline soaked gauze.
- Immediate delivery is required.
- State on requisition that the specimen is for immunofluorescence and include a completed requisition from Mayo Medical Laboratory (available through Dahl-Chase by calling 941-8252) Submit separate piece of skin biopsy from the lesion in formalin if routine pathology is also needed.
- Questions? Call (207) 941-8252.
- Turn-around time for this test is approximately 3 days from the date of send-out.
Sural Nerve Biopsy:
This testing is done at Fletcher Allen Health Care for Dahl-Chase.
The sural nerve biopsy will be fixed for electron microscopy and histology as soon as possible after removal from the patient.
- Notify Dahl-Chase 24 hours in advance by calling 941-8252.
- Notify Uniship courier service that this specimen needs immediate attention upon arrival at Dahl-Chase Diagnostic Services. (courier phone 848-7546)
- The turn around time for this test is approximately 3-4 weeks from the date ordered.
Specimen requirements:
- A 3 cm portion of nerve is obtained from the patient and sent to Pathology on a piece of gauze dampened in saline. Transport on wet ice to Dahl-Chase.
- This specimen is fresh and needs immediate attention once it reaches Pathology.
HPV Testing on Tissue blocks
This testing is ordered by Dahl-Chase and sent to Mayo Medical