Histology Department
(859)257-1822
PROCEDURE FOR SKELETAL MUSCLE BIOPSIES
1. Schedule muscle biopsies 24 hours in advance by calling the Histology laboratory at (859)257-1822. Please call the lab ASAP if a biopsy is cancelled or re-scheduled.
2. Specimens must be received by 12:00pm to allow for same day processing. No muscle biopsy specimens will be accepted on Fridays. Please schedule cases so the specimen(s) will be received in the histology department Monday-Thursday.
3. An appropriately completed test requisition, including patient history, must accompany the tissue.
4. The surgeon should divide the specimen into 3 portions.
a.
1.5 cm in length x 0.5 cm in diameter – prior to
excision, secure each end to a splint (a wooden throat swab or tongue blade is
satisfactory) to prevent contraction artifact in the muscle fibers. Submit in a
Petri dish on saline-soaked gauze sponge. Please
do not oversaturate or float in saline. DO NOT FREEZE SPECIMEN. Ship specimen
with a cold pack that includes enough ice or cold packs to keep specimen cool
until arrival.
b.
1.5 cm in length x 0.5 cm in diameter – prior to
excision, secure each end to a splint to prevent contraction artifact in the
muscle fibers. Submit this tissue in 10% neutral buffered formalin.
c. A tiny specimen (0.3 cm x 0.3 cm x 0.3cm) should be immersed immediately in 2% glutaraldehyde for possible electron microscopy.
*If the patient is an infant or child, the quantity of muscle may be decreased. Please contact the laboratory to discuss absolute minimal requirements prior to biopsy.
Ship specimens to: University
of Kentucky Medical Center
800
Rose St
Histology
Department
Pavilion H, 4th
floor, Room HL409
Lexington, KY 40536
Please contact the laboratory at (859)257-1822 for packing
and shipping arrangements or questions.
2-27-23 A Bernard/Teresa Kaenzig (teresa.kaenzig@uky.edu)
