1. Home
  2. Health professionals
  3. Anatomical Pathology

Pathology handbook

Histology

Test Code: 
Hist
Department: 
Anatomical Pathology
Pseudonyms: 
Biopsy for Paraffin Section
Collection Requirements: 
10% Neutral Buffered formalin
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Requires own tube?: 
No
Internal Spec Code: 
Fee: 
Medicare rebatable
Laboratory: 
Histology

Histology - Frozen Section

Test Code: 
FRESH, HIST
Department: 
Anatomical Pathology
Pseudonyms: 
Frozen Section - Histopathology
Collection Requirements: 
Operative tissues for immediate histopathology, send FRESH
Availability: 
Weekdays (out of hours - see notes)
Requires own tube?: 
No
Fee: 
Medicare rebatable
Laboratory: 
Histology
Prior booking of frozen sections is preferred. Fresh tissues for frozen section are delivered by PSA from theatre directly to Anatomical Pathology. Out of Hours: MUST BE PRE-BOOKED by paging the pathologist on-call.

Histology - Renal

Test Code: 
HIST
Department: 
Anatomical Pathology
Pseudonyms: 
Renal Biopsy - Histopathology
Collection Requirements: 
Renal biopsy. See notes
Availability: 
Weekdays
Requires own tube?: 
No
Laboratory: 
Histology
Biopsies should be booked through Anatomical Pathology staff Ext. 28426. Biopsies should be performed early in the day to enable laboratory procedures to be performed during normal working hours. Requests for electron microscopy should be stated on the request form. Out of hours: MUST be pre-booked. Page the renal pathologist on-call.

Immunofluorescence (IF) on fresh tissue

Test Code: 
HIST
Tube Colour: 
Yellow top universal
Department: 
Anatomical Pathology
Pseudonyms: 
IF, DIF
Collection Requirements: 
Fresh tissue is placed on saline soaked gauze. Do not allow the tissue to dry out. Refrigerate/ send to Pathology CSR as soon as possible. Specimens taken out of hours are stored at 4̊ C. Usually (not always) accompanied by a specimen in formalin for histopathology. If histopathology is required, collect separate formalin fixed sample. If in doubt, contact the ‘on-call’ pathologist in Anatomical Pathology.
Availability: 
Week days. Specimens taken out of hours are stored at 4̊ C
Requires own tube?: 
No
Fee: 
Medicare rebatable
Laboratory: 
Histology/Immunohistochemistry
Immunofluorescence staining involves staining frozen sections of fresh (unfixed) biopsy samples. Optimum results are obtained by minimizing the time interval between excision of the biopsy and freezing the specimen for sectioning. Specimens commonly received for IF: Skin punch biopsy for immunobullous disorders or vasculitis Buccal mucosa biopsy for immunobullous disorders Renal biopsy if anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane disease is a possibility

Muscle Biopsy S/A

Test Code: 
MUSSO
Tube Colour: 
Yellow top universal
Department: 
Anatomical Pathology
Collection Requirements: 
Minimum size 20x10x10mm
Availability: 
Weekdays - Sample must reach Anatomical Pathology by 1530 M-F for dispatch to VNLS same day.
Requires own tube?: 
No
Reference Laboratory: 
Victorian Neuromuscular Laboratory Services - Alfred Hospital
Laboratory: 
Histology

Nerve Biopsy

Test Code: 
Nerb
Department: 
Anatomical Pathology
Pseudonyms: 
Nerve Biopsy - Histopathology
Collection Requirements: 
By Arrangement.Nerve Bx kit.- collect rom Anat Path. Nerve biopsy fresh in a sterile container
Availability: 
Weekdays - Sample must reach Anatomical Pathology by 1530 hrs
Requires own tube?: 
No
Reference Laboratory: 
Victorian Neuromuscular Laboratory Services - Alfred Hospital
Laboratory: 
Histology
Nerve biopsy kits containing appropriate specimen containers, fixatives and instructions should be obtained from Anatomical Pathology department at RMH (03 9342 7750). 24 hours notice is required to ensure kit is available.

Post Mortem

Test Code: 
PM
Department: 
Anatomical Pathology
Pseudonyms: 
PM, Autopsy
Collection Requirements: 
The attached Austin PM and Post Mortem Risk Assessment forms must be completed.
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Melbourne Health patients only. On request and by arrangment with Anatomical Pathology RMH. Please contact Anatomical Pathologist via the Pathology hotline on ext 28000.
Requires own tube?: 
No
Internal Spec Code: 
Fee: 
Reference Laboratory: 
The Austin Hospital
Laboratory: 
Histology
Download 1
(PDF,140.87 KB)
Contact us if you need an accessible version of a download.