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.

Biopsies (except for specimens requiring special procedures - see below) should be put into Histology pots and covered with 10% formalin as soon as possible. In general the formalin to specimen ratio should be at least 10:1, ensuring that the specimen is fully submerged with adequate fixative.

Where culture is required, fresh tissue without formalin is required and should be immediately sent to the laboratory with a request slip.

The container must be appropriately labelled and in addition include the surgeon's name and the type of tissue.

If the specimen is a large resection that should be pinned out for fixation, foam boards can be requested by contacting the laboratory on ph:03 94965285, or alternatively the specimen can be sent fresh and pinned out in the laboratory.

Specimens requiring special procedures are, for example:

• frozen sections
• muscle biopsies
• nerve biopsies
• renal biopsies
• direct Immunofluorescent studies
• electron microscopy
• lymph nodes
• large surgical resections

Add ons for this test cannot be performed.

For further queries contact Anatomical Pathology on ph: 03 9496 5285 or fax: 03 9496 3437.