Specimen Requirements

Call Logan Health Medical Center Pathology Department at 406-752-1789 at least 24 hours prior to specimen collection for specific instructions and to allow pathology enough time to obtain liquid nitrogen. Send specimen Monday through Thursday only.

Tissue may be processed in a variety of ways depending on the information sought by tissue examination and the type of tissue available. There is no single tissue-handling method that will allow all diagnostic studies to be performed, it is essential to decide what type of studies may be necessary before tissue is fixed, processed, or allowed to perish.

Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: Entire muscle biopsy
Collection Instructions: Obtain biopsy from a muscle that is definitely affected, but not so severely affected that much of it is replaced by fatty or fibrous connective tissue. In addition, involved muscle should not be 1 that has been traumatized by injections or by electromyographic studies. Typically, triceps, biceps, or vastus lateralis are chosen. (Deltoid or gastrocnemius muscles are less satisfactory and more subject to artifact.)

Note: 1. Label container with patient’s legal name, date of birth, tissue source, and physician’s name.

2. Specimen source, clinical history/diagnosis, name of muscle, date of biopsy, any pertinent studies ie, creatine kinase and electromyographic studies, and physician’s name are required.

Forms: “Pathology Requisition”

See “Requisitions” in Special Instructions for a copy of the form.

Note: Reference laboratory will not process requisitions for this procedure unless the information requested is supplied.