All specimens submitted for Histology must be clearly labelled with patient details and tissue type and accompanied by a request form (paper or electronic) detailing any clinical diagnosis, relevant history and operative findings.

Urgent Biopsies

For urgent Histopathology results, clinicians are required to contact the department on 9496-5285 and discuss the case with a pathologist at the time the specimen is submitted. Out of hours and on weekends, there is an on-call Anatomical Pathologist who can be contacted via Austin Hospital switchboard on 9496-5000. Simply labelling the request form as 'urgent' will not constitute urgent processing by the laboratory.

Depending on the specimen size and fixation, tissue sections are usually available for the pathologist to report on the day following the receipt of the specimen. Some complex tissue diagnoses may require extensive immunohistochemistry which may delay the report, however on average a report is available within 24-48 hours of receipt of the specimen in the laboratory.

All biopsies and tissues except for the specimens requiring special procedures (see below) should be placed in an appropriately sized containers and promptly covered with 10% formalin at a volume ratio of 1:10 the size of the tissue, to allow for adequate fixation.

Do not use formalin when:

     * Culture, flow cytometry or cytogenetics may be required - send fresh tissue.

     * Immunofluorescence is requested - send fresh tissue in saline soaked gauze

     * Specimen requires tissue banking or Frozen section - send fresh tissue

     * Specimen is a gastrectomy, enterocolectomy, lobectomy, pneumonectomy and cystectomy

         as these require special orientation and pinning out flat to avoid tissue distortion prior to

         fixation - send fresh tissue

Safe use of formalin

Formaldehyde based fixatives are the most widely used histological fixatives for routine histopathology.

Histological fixatives contain formaldehyde at a concentration of 4%, usually referred to as 10% formalin or 10% NBF (neutral buffered formalin) as this is the pH at which formaldehyde is the most effective. Over time the solution will become acidic due to progressive oxidation, resulting in the formation of formic acid, which is why you should adhrere to the expiry dates on the containers and bottles provided.

Adequate precautions should be taken to prevent skin or eye contact and inhalation of the vapour. When handling formalin, you should be wearing gloves, protective clothing or gown and safety glasses. Formalin should be used in a well ventilated area.