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23051 Surgical Pathology, Electron Microscopy, Diagnostic

Surgical Pathology, Electron Microscopy, Diagnostic
Test Code: HMISC
Synonyms/Keywords
​EM, TEM, Histology, Ultrastructure, Electron Microscopy, Tissue
Useful For
​Examination of the ultrastructure of human tissue, used in resolving diagnostic difficulties in human pathology.  Changes not perceived by light microscopy can be identified, leading to improved diagnostic interpretations.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​Tissue ​12.0 mL Glass Vial with Electron Microscopy Fixative (2.5% Glutaraldehyde) Small, Leak-proof Rigid Container​ 1 - 15 pieces of tissue. The optimum size of tissue pieces: 2 x 2 x 1 mm​ One piece of tissue​ One piece of tissue​
Collection Processing Instructions
The size of the solid tissue blocks submitted should be no larger than 1-4 mm wide by 1-4 mm long by 1-2 mm thick.
The optimum size of tissue is 2 x 2 x 1 mm. (Specimens must be 1.0 mm or less in one dimension to insure proper penetration of the fixative before autolysis occurs.)
 
Place tissue specimen in Electron Microscopy Fixative (2.5% glutaraldehyde) available from the histology laboratory.
 
Tissue must be placed into fixative within one-half hour of removal from patient.
 
A histology request form completed with patient history and tissue source must accompany the specimen.
 
Adequately label the tissue vial.
Acceptable Specimen Types
​Tissue
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Tissue​ ​Room Temperature ​Indefinite
Rejection Criteria
Samples removed from the patient more than one hour before being placed in the fixative
Samples that have become dried out before being placed in the fixative​
​Yellowed EM Fixative
​Frozen
Interference
Specimens in fixatives other than EM Fixative will produce less than optimal results.​
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Marshfield ​Monday - Friday ​3 days Zeiss EM900 Transmission Electron Microscope​
Test Information
Specimens must be 1.0 mm or less in one dimension to insure proper penetration of the fixative before autolysis occurs. 
 
Yellowed glutaraldehyde (electron microscopy fixative) is unacceptable; it has degraded and will not preserve the tissue adequately.  If your fixative has yellowed, please order fresh fixative from the histology lab (ext. 16175), and keep refrigerated until ready to use.  The sample is stored and transported at room temperature.
 
 Call Rita Kenner (ext. 16182) or the histology lab (ext. 16175) if more information is needed regarding collection or ordering the test.
 
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Marshfield Labs. This laboratory is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) to perform high complexity testing.
​
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
​Marshfield Descriptive tissue pathology report​
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​88348 ​ ​ Surgical Pathology, Electron Microscopy, Diagnostic​ ​
Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Marshfield Labs. This laboratory is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) to perform high complexity testing.
​
Synonyms/Keywords
​EM, TEM, Histology, Ultrastructure, Electron Microscopy, Tissue
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​Tissue ​12.0 mL Glass Vial with Electron Microscopy Fixative (2.5% Glutaraldehyde) Small, Leak-proof Rigid Container​ 1 - 15 pieces of tissue. The optimum size of tissue pieces: 2 x 2 x 1 mm​ One piece of tissue​ One piece of tissue​
Collection Processing
The size of the solid tissue blocks submitted should be no larger than 1-4 mm wide by 1-4 mm long by 1-2 mm thick.
The optimum size of tissue is 2 x 2 x 1 mm. (Specimens must be 1.0 mm or less in one dimension to insure proper penetration of the fixative before autolysis occurs.)
 
Place tissue specimen in Electron Microscopy Fixative (2.5% glutaraldehyde) available from the histology laboratory.
 
Tissue must be placed into fixative within one-half hour of removal from patient.
 
A histology request form completed with patient history and tissue source must accompany the specimen.
 
Adequately label the tissue vial.
Acceptable Specimen Types
​Tissue
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Tissue​ ​Room Temperature ​Indefinite
Rejection Criteria
Samples removed from the patient more than one hour before being placed in the fixative
Samples that have become dried out before being placed in the fixative​
​Yellowed EM Fixative
​Frozen
Interference
Specimens in fixatives other than EM Fixative will produce less than optimal results.​
Useful For
​Examination of the ultrastructure of human tissue, used in resolving diagnostic difficulties in human pathology.  Changes not perceived by light microscopy can be identified, leading to improved diagnostic interpretations.
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
​Marshfield Descriptive tissue pathology report​
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Marshfield ​Monday - Friday ​3 days Zeiss EM900 Transmission Electron Microscope​
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​88348 ​ ​ Surgical Pathology, Electron Microscopy, Diagnostic​ ​
Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Marshfield Labs. This laboratory is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) to perform high complexity testing.
​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.