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Test Code
10478
Test Name
Histopathology, Muscle Biopsy
CPT Codes
88305
Included Tests
  • Histopathological evaluation performed by board certified pathologist.
  • Includes: Routine light microscopy, Amyloid stains, Frozen section, Histochemistry, Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Special Stains
  • Electron microscopy (as indicated)
Expected Turnaround Time
2 - 3 weeks
Clinical Utility
  • To obtain a diagnosis; this may be used by the treating physicians to direct appropriate patient management and treatment.
Specimen and Container Info
Alternate Specimen:
Min. Volume External:
Volume External:
Alternate Container:
Collection Instructions
  • Please schedule 24 hrs in advance with the Histology Department 484-425-8162.
  • In known muscle disease, biopsy location should be selected to include a muscle which indicates clinical signs of involvement but has not reached “end-stage” disease.
  • Avoid a muscle recently needled for EMG study because the latter may cause local reactive inflammation difficult to distinguish from focus of polymyositis.
  • Place two 1cm cubes of fresh muscle on a 4x4 gauze sponge moistened with 4cc normal saline.
  • Place this specimen in a sealed and appropriately labeled container and place the container on WET ice (NOT dry ice.)
  • Place two 1cm cubes of fresh muscle in a sealed container of 10% phosphate-buffered neutral formalin.
  • Label all specimen containers with the patient's full name, MR#, biopsy site, and time of collection.
Processing and Submission Instructions
  • Call at least one business day in advance to alert the laboratory that a specimen will be sent. Call: 484-425-8162.
  • The laboratory will provide Muscle kits (for local requests) as soon as the advance notice is received. Clients may request to have kits in stock.
  • A completed Neuromuscular Pathology Consultation Request form (included in the kit) must accompany the specimen.
  • Client will be billed, not patient. Please complete information on Request form.
  • Muscle specimens must be kept refrigerated after collection.
  • NOTE: A small portion of the fresh material will be stored deep frozen for possible later use as tissue for biochemical assays (e.g. quantitative of glycogen or certain enzymes).
  • Deliver directly to the Histology Laboratory.
  • Contact HNL Courier service for specimen transport 484-425-5332.
Methodology
Histopathology
Performing Location
Roble Road Core Laboratory
Testing Schedule
Routine, Monday - Friday no holidays
The American Medical Association (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes published by HNL Lab Medicine are guidelines and are intended for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the exclusive responsibility of the billing entity. View the Terms.
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