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UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH
DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY
NEUROPATHOLOGY
GALVESTON, TX 77555-0743
NERVE BIOPSY INFORMATION SHEET
Specimen: Peripheral nerve (sural nerve) biopsy (fresh, unfixed) for
diagnosis of neuropathy.
- Closed containment of tissue according to universal precautions.
- Label container with patient’s name and hospital number.
- Surgical Pathology Tissue Consultation Request form, properly completed, must accompany
biopsy.
- The Neuropathologist on call must be paged prior to the procedure to
arrange for timely processing of the biopsy.
NOTE: THE LABORATORY WILL NOT ACCEPT THE BIOPSY UNLESS THE ABOVE
REQUIREMENTS ARE SATISFIED.
- HOURS: You must always page the Neuropathologist on call prior to the procedure to
arrange for proper collection and processing.
- HOW TO REACH US:
Neuropathology: (409) 772-2418 Rm.5.503 Clinical Science Building
Surgical Pathology: (409) 772-2855 Rm. 2.186 John Sealy Annex
Page numbers:
Dr. Campbell: 409-643-3389 (inside hospital - 40878)
Dr. Gelman: 409-643-3579 (inside hospital - 46591
Pathology Resident on call: call hospital operator
- DO: Notify the Neuropathologist on call as soon as possible after the procedure
is scheduled, prior to beginning the procedure.
Page the Neuropathologist on call prior to excising the biopsy. Ideally
the pathologist should be present to receive the specimen as soon as it is removed from
the patient. The pathologist will collect the nerve specimen from the O.R. in
the same manner as a frozen section. We will not accept nerve biopsies from remote sites without prior special
arrangements for proper handling. Call the Neuropathologist for further information.
Provide a specimen of sural nerve at least 1 cm and preferably about 3 cm in length.
Place the nerve in a dry specimen container to hand to the pathologist. The pathologist
will bring supplies for proper handling and fixation of the nerve.
- DO NOT: Do not immerse the tissue in formalin or saline!
Do not leave the tissue in the Surgical Pathology
refrigerator after hours. You must page the Neuropathologist on call to collect the biopsy.
What diagnostic services are
available?
Nerve histology (plastic cross section is routine)
Paraffin sections for special stains (special studies)
Electron microscopy (special study)
Nerve tease preparation (special study)
Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence (special studies)
Computer-assisted nerve fiber morphometry (special study)
What do we do routinely?
Routine processing and reporting includes diagnosis from light
microscopic examination of toluidine blue-stained cross sections of nerve. Almost all
nerve biopsies for suspected neuropathy also undergo electron microscopic (EM) examination
and nerve tease procedure.
Special studies in addition to the routine procedures described above are done at the
discretion of the neuropathologist and carry additional charges. If special studies are
specifically requested, please provide adequate clinical data to justify the performance
of these studies.
- Information Required on the Tissue Consultation Request:
- Patient’s name, UH # and financial account number.
- Date and time of excision of biopsy.
- Attending physician’s name, doctor #, page and telephone numbers and address to
send report.
- Names and addresses of any other physicians to receive reports. Please include the
names of the neurology and/or neurosurgery consultants.
- Clinical diagnosis (both neurologic disease and any other relevant diagnoses).
- Clinical history, physical findings and laboratory data relevant to neurologic disease,
including nerve conduction studies and electromyographic (EMG) diagnosis.
Standard time for processing, staining and interpretation is 10 days. Time may vary
depending on special studies needed. Please call the neuropathologist for information on
the status of the case.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CALL: Dr. Benjamin B. Gelman or
Dr. Gerald A. Campbell, Department of Pathology, UTMB at the above numbers.
Revision Date: 10/14/04
Replaces Rev. of: 11/07/02
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