Specimen Requirements

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.

Acceptable Specimens:

Bone marrow/slides, cytologic preparations, fixed tissue, fresh tissue, paraffin blocks, peripheral blood smears, and prepared tissue slides

Bone Marrow

Container/Tube: Formalin-filled container and 6 well-made aspirate slides

Specimen Volume: 1 mL of bone marrow aspirate and/or 1 cm of bone core biopsy
 

Collection Instructions:

Submit bone marrow aspirate and/or bone core biopsy in formalin-filled container. 6 well-made aspirate slides (air-dried, not in formalin) must also be submitted.

Note:

1. Label container and slides with patient’s legal name, date of birth, specimen source, and physician’s name.

2. A diagnostic report and brief history are required.

3. Peripheral smear and results from a CBC (complete blood count) drawn <24 hours prior to collection of bone marrow are also required for interpretation.

4. Specimen source, clinical history/diagnosis, and physician’s name are required.

Forms: “Pathology Requisition” (Listed in Special Instructions)

Cytologic Preparations

See individual cytology test listings for information

OR

Call Logan Health Medical Center Pathology Department at 406-752-1789 prior to specimen collection for specific instructions.

Note:

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

2. Specimen source, clinical history/diagnosis, and physician’s name are required.

Forms: “Cytology Requisition” (Listed in Special Instructions)

Tissue

Container/Tube: Tightly-sealing container with Formalin fixative
Specimen Volume: Entire specimen

Collection Instructions:

Place tissue in container with tissue fixative. The ratio of tissue to fixative is important. In general, a specimen requires about 5 to 15 times its volume of fixative to allow adequate fixation. Entire specimen should be covered by fixative if possible. Tissues that are not placed in fixative or that are put into inadequate volume of fixative may undergo autolysis and be irretrievably damaged.

Note:

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

2. Specimen source, clinical history/diagnosis, and physician’s name are required.

Forms: “Pathology Requisition” (Listed in Special Instructions)