UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY
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Division of Neuropathology University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Room A506 PUH 200 Lothrop Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Tel: 412-647-9417 |
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Neuromuscular Pathology Consults Our laboratory specializes in processing muscle and nerve biopsy specimens. Regarding muscle specimens, routine studies on all frozen sections include staining with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Gomori trichrome, NADH-TR, ATPase (pHs 4.3, 4.6, 9.4), PAS, oil-red-O, Congo red, and esterase. In selected cases, succinic dehydrogenase, cytochrome oxidase, acid phosphatase, PAS-diastase, and myophosphorylase reactivities can be assessed. Paraffin sections are stained with H&E in all cases. Immunohistochemistry is available for dystrophin, alpha-sarcoglycan, membrane attack complex (C5b-9), leukocyte common antigen, T- and B-cell markers, actin, myosin, desmin, vimentin, ubiquitin, and beta-amyloid. Electron microscopy is available if needed.
Peripheral nerves are sectioned and processed as follows: Paraffin sections are stained with H&E, trichrome, Congo red, and leukocyte common antigen. Teased fiber preparation is performed. One micron thick resin-embedded sections are stained with toluidine blue. Ultrastructural studies are performed in selected cases. Immunohistochemistry is available for leukocyte typing, identification of type of amyloid, complement deposition, etc.
Our turnaround time for muscle pathology reports is about 4-7 working days via FAX. Verbal or preliminary reports are available in 24-48 hours in selected cases. Nerve histopathology reports take about 10 days due to teased fiber preparation. However, a preliminary report (verbal or FAX) will be issued within 48 hours in cases of vasculitis. Electron microscopy turnaround is 10-14 days. Of course, interpretation of glass slides alone is faster. Specimens cannot be processed until we have received adequate identifying information and clinical history. Complete the Clinical History Form and send it with the specimen. The lab should be notified in advance of specimen submission by calling (412) 647-7660 prior to biopsy (24 hour requested). Fresh specimens should be sent promptly-- arrive within 2 hours -- by special messenger and hand carried to the Histopathology Laboratory at UPMC. The Histopathology lab is located at 5th Floor Main Tower, CHP. |
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