Results are generally available 14 days after receipt of the specimen.

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

GENERAL: Correct interpretation of muscle and nerve biopsies is strongly dependent on the clinical setting. It is therefore imperative that pertinent clinical information, including medications and the name of the physician responsible for the patient, accompanies the specimen. This may be either faxed (503-494-2025) the day the specimen is shipped, or preferably e-mailed to NPohsu.edu. (Opens in a new window) E-mail information may be sent in advance as long as the approximate date of surgery is indicated. Specimens without history will be evaluated by H&E stain only.

MUSCLE: If a specific muscle is not dictated by the clinical presentation, the following muscles are preferred.

In order of preference: Quadriceps, Biceps, Deltoid

• Adequate size: 1 cm x 0.5 cm x 0.5 cm
• Avoid end stage muscle.
• Take biopsy away from a tendon insertion site.
• No infiltration with local anesthetic.
• Do not freeze specimen.
• No clamps or tying to tongue blade.

PREPARATION FOR SHIPMENT:

Wrap specimen loosely in saline-moistened gauze or Telfa. Do not immerse in saline.
Place wrapped specimen into dry container e.g., specimen cup, and seal.
Surround container with wet ice. Do not ship on dry ice.
Pack in a Styrofoam container.
Ship via courier, cab, FedEx or air.

SHIPPING LABEL INFORMATION:

• Cab or courier:
  • Hatfield LaboratoryServices
    Room HRC9D20
    Hatfield ResearchCenter
    3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Mailcode HRC9
    Portland, OR 97239
    Notify Neuromuscle Lab, pager 16822, upon arrival
• FedEx:
  • SURGICALPATHOLOGY L471
    OHSU
    Matthew Wood, MD, PhD
    3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road
    Portland, OR 97239
    Attn: Neuromuscle Lab, pager 16822
• Air:
  • Matthew Wood, MD, PhD
    Surgical Pathology, L471
    OHSU
    3181 SW Sam Jackson Park RD
    Portland, OR 97239
    Attn: Neuromuscle Lab, pager 16822

ADDENDUM:

Re: Arrival of specimens at OHSU- alternative procedure for muscles.

If the specimen cannot be delivered to OHSU by 4:00 pm, the following procedure can be followed:

The specimen should be retained at the sending lab until the following OHSU workday. Specimens should be kept on saline-moistened (not soaked) gauze, in a dry closed container, in the refrigerator. If the following day is a Saturday or a holiday, then the specimen should be held (even over the weekend if necessary), until the next available OHSU workday. The next morning, OHSU should be contacted prior to shipping, and then the specimen shipped in the morning on moistened gauze, in a dry container, on wet ice, to Hatfield Laboratory Services at OHSU. This is not the recommended treatment for optimal preservation of the specimen. Consideration should be given to rescheduling the biopsy to allow coordination between the sending facility and OHSU.

In all cases, it is imperative to notify the Neuromuscle Lab, 503 494-6781, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm before sending the specimen.

CONTACT: Neuromuscle Lab at 503 494-6781 for information.

Histochemical Stain With FS Muscle (Each)