• Follow Epic procedure to order specimen, selecting proper Anatomic Tissue part type.
• Provide pertinent clinical history.
• All containers must be labeled with patient's name, MRN and specimen description, using Epic generated labels.
• Specimens, fresh on ice, must arrive at HFH laboratory within 30-60 minutes after collection and preferrably not later than 3:00 p.m. or processing will be compromised and results may be unreliable.
• Turnaround time is 2-3 days for preliminary diagnosis and two weeks for final report.
• For discussion of technical specimen requirements, contact muscle biopsy technologist at (313) 916-2327.  For medical results contact Surgical Pathology Administration at 313-916-PATH.

Muscle Biopsy

Muscle biopsies should be taken at least a few millimeters away from the major fascia and the most severely grossly abnormal areas should be avoided. More normal appearing muscle near these areas is preferable for optimizing interpretability. Avoid directly infiltrating the muscle of the biopsy site with local anesthetic. Minimally, a roughly cylindrical portion of muscle at least 8 mm in diameter and 1.25 to 1.5 cm in length is required for histochemical enzymatic stains. An additional, equally sized contiguous (end to end or side to side) or separate portion is required for routine processing and possible electron microscopy. One of these portions can be submitted still within the muscle clamp, however this is not necessary. Do not place any portion of the specimen in any type of fixative. Never submerge the muscle specimen in saline or water.

Submit specimens fresh (unfixed) in saline dampened gauze within a dry container. Never submerge the muscle specimen in saline or water. The specimen should be submitted to the pathology department immediately and identified as a muscle biopsy to the pathology personnel. If biopsies are taken at a different facility off site, the dry container containing the biopsy should be sealed tight and placed inside a larger container containing regular ice (never use dry ice or freezer packs). Off site specimens should be delivered to the Henry Ford Hospital Detroit campus department of pathology as soon as possible, no longer than one hour of the taking of the biopsy, and must arrive by 3:00 p.m., regardless if the biopsy is done in house or off site.

Nerve Biopsy

Dissect a 3 to 5 cm long segment of nerve including the epineurium. Minimize handling of the specimen (hold by the tips or ends only). Do not immerse in saline or fixative of any kind.

Place the fresh nerve in saline moistened gauze (avoid folding of the specimen) and then in a tightly capped dry container, such as a plastic specimen cup or jar. Put this container on ice within another container. Do not use dry ice or freezer packs. In house specimens should be submitted to pathology immediately labeled "fresh nerve biopsy." Biopsies from remote sites should arrive at the Detroit campus pathology lab within 1 hour.