Pathology tests database

Sample and container requirements

o 2x1cm fresh muscle tissue preferably from quadriceps or deltoid, no anaesthetic in muscle or diathermy, placed into a dry pot no formalin or saline.

Minimum volume required

o 2x1cm fresh muscle tissue preferably from quadriceps or deltoid, no anaesthetic in muscle or diathermy, placed into a dry pot no formalin or saline.

Special requirements

Please contact the Muscle Laboratory to check the availability of a BMS to attend onsite at the time of the biopsy. Some specimen preparation is carried out on site.

Patient preparation

No anaesthetic in muscle or diathermy.

Sample viability

N/A

Turnaround time

Cases can be requested as urgent at the time of the biopsy or by email/telephone; the pathologist will relay results back to the clinician via email/telephone. • Muscle report – 4 weeks from receipt to report authorisation. • Nerve reports – 4 weeks from receipt to report authorisation. • The current turnaround time for cases referred by the Department to specialist centres is 2-3 months depending on tests requested.

Reference range

N/A

Clinical guidance

Muscle biopsies are performed as part of the investigation of a clinically suspected neuromuscular disorder when other less invasive tests have not provided a firm diagnosis. The Muscle Biopsy Service receives muscle and nerve samples from the whole of the West Midlands region and occasionally from elsewhere in the UK. This Department offers the following investigative techniques: • Muscle Histochemistry methods on frozen sections • Muscle immunocytochemistry on frozen sections. • Electron Microscopy. • Histology and Muscle immunocytochemistry on paraffin wax sections. • Arrangements can be made to send tissue away for DNA analysis. If required samples can be referred to specialist centres for further investigation • Metabolic tests. • Mitochondrial Assays and MtDNA. • Protein analysis for adult Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophies. • Rare paediatric dystrophies

Notes