PROPER FIXATIVE

Most specimens that are submitted routine pathology are submitted in 10% formalin containers.  However there are several exceptions.  

​

Fresh Tissue is appropriate when the specimen will be shared between mircrobiology and pathology departments.  Fresh tissue submission is also requested when lymphoma may be suspected as a potential diagnosis.  This allows the ancillary studies like flow cytometry to be performed which is imperative in hematologic cancers for proper characterization.  Time is critical for fresh specimens to be properly diagnosed and to make sure the tissue has not undergone any degredation.

​

Muscle and nerve biopsies are submitted without fixative on saline soaked gauze.  A call 24 hours in advance of the biopsy being taken is requested to arrange for pick-up and transportation since these are delegate tissues.

​

For Specimen pickup please call 1-520-884-0033

​

​