Review Status
Reviewed December 2024
This page will be updated June 2025
Cellular and Anatomical Pathology Test List
| Dept | Requested Test | Container | TAT | Special Notes |
| Cytopathology | Ascitic Fluid | 50-100 mls maximum required in clean sterile container |
5 days* *>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer. |
Please avoid sending ascitic fluid in containers larger than 100ml due to storage capacity in cytology department
Ascitic fluid should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution.
It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration.
In case of delay the specimen should be stored in a fridge. |
| Mortuary | Autopsy | Up to 3 months dependant on the material retained | Consent required. See Anatomical Pathology (Mortuary section)/Requesting a consented autopsy. | |
| Cytopathology | Bile Duct Brushings |
5 days* *>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer. |
Bile duct brushings should be collected into at least 20ml of PreservCyt solution.
The specimen container MUST be labelled with a PreservCyt label.
PreservCyt fixative solution and labels can be obtained from the cytology department (#38430).
Guidance for collection of brushings into PreservCyt solution:
|
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| Cytopathology | Breast Cyst Fluid |
5 days* *>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer. |
For suspected ALCL – please record this suspicion clearly on the request form to alert staff.
Breast cyst fluid should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution.
It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration. In case of delay the specimen should be stored in a fridge. |
|
| Cytopathology | Bronchial Brushings |
Sterile container containing at least 20mls PreservCyt |
5 days* *>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer. |
Bronchial brushings should be collected into at least 20ml of PreservCyt solution.
The specimen container MUST be labelled with a PreservCyt label.
PreservCyt fixative solution and labels can be obtained from the cytology department (#38430).
Guidance for collection of brushings into PreservCyt solution:
|
| Cytopathology | Bronchial Lavage | Sterile container containing 20mls PreservCyt |
5 days* *>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer.
|
Bronchial lavage specimens must be collected into at least 20 ml of PreservCyt solution.
Containers must be labelled with a PreservCyt label. PreservCyt fixative solution and labels can be obtained from the cytology department (#38430). |
| Cytopathology | Cervical Cytology | ThinPrep LBC container |
Severn Pathology Laboratory (Bristol) |
01686 611333 |
| Cytopathology | CSF - Malignant cells | 25ml white top universal |
5 days* *>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer. |
Arrange with lab prior to sending on ext 38430. Contact on-call BMS via the Hospital Switchboard if an out of hours request. Reference should be made to special notes in the Cytopathology section. If sending CSF to more than one department, please send adequate amounts of fluid and seperate request forms appropriate to the tests required. |
| Cytopathology | Cyst Fluids | 50 mls – 100 mls max required in a clean sterile container |
5 days* *>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer. |
Cyst fluid should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution.
It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration. In case of delay the specimen should be stored in a fridge |
| Cytopathology | EBUS | Formalin |
5 days* *>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer. |
EBUS samples should be collected into 45ml of formalin. Do not refrigerate samples in event of delay |
| Cytopathology | FNA samples |
Sterile container containing at least 20 mls PreservCyt (for needle washings) |
5 days* *>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer. |
Reference should be made to special notes in the Cytopathology section. |
| Cytopathology | Joint Fluids |
Sterile container with no fixative solution. |
5 days* *>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer. |
Joint fluid should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution. It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration. In case of delay the specimen should be stored in a fridge. |
| Cytopathology | Nipple Discharge | Plastic slide carrier. |
5 days* *>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer. |
Each individual slide and the slide container must be labelled with at least 3 points of patient ID.
Slides must be allowed to fully air dry before being placed into the container. |
| Cytopathology | Oesophageal Brushings |
Plastic slide carrier and/or Sterile container containing at least 20 mls PreservCyt - brush agitated and removed |
5 days* *>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer. |
Brushings must be collected into at least 20ml of PreservCyt solution.
The container must be labelled with a PreservCyt label.
PreservCyt fixative and labels can be obtained from the cytology department (#38430).
Guidance for collection of brushings into PreservCyt solution:
|
| Cytopathology | Pericardial Fluid | 50-100 mls maximum required in clean sterile container |
5 days* *>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer. |
If possible, please submit at least 50ml and a maximum of 100ml.
Pericardial fluid should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution.
It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration. In case of delay the specimen should be stored in a fridge. |
| Cytopathology | Peritoneal Fluid | 50-100 mls maximum required in clean sterile container |
5 days* *>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer. |
If possible, please submit at least 50ml and a maximum of 100ml.
Peritoneal fluid should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution.
It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration. In case of delay the specimen should be stored in a fridge |
| Cytopathology | Pleural Fluid | 50-100 mls maximum required in clean sterile container |
5 days* *>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer. |
If possible, please submit at least 50ml and a maximum of 100ml.
Pleural fluid should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution.
It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration.
In case of delay the specimen should be stored in a fridge. |
| Cytopathology | Sputum | Sterile container containing at least 20 mls PreservCyt |
5 days* *>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer. |
Sputum specimens must be collected into at least 20 ml of PreservCyt solution.
Containers must be labelled with a PreservCyt label.
PreservCyt fixative solution and labels can be obtained from the cytology department (#38430).
To increase sensitivity of test:
|
| Cytopathology | Urine | 50 mls – 100 mls max required in a clean sterile container | f
5 days* *>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer. |
Please avoid submitting urine from the first urination of the day.
Please submit the whole sample if possible.
Do not collect mid-stream urine only.
Urine should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution.
It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration.
In case of delay the specimen should be stored in a fridge. |
| Histopathology | Copper (Dry weight) | Dry container | 6 weeks | Annotate 'DRY COPPER WEIGHT REQUEST' on request form. Place specimen dry in wide mouth container. DO NOT ADD FORMALIN. Specimen sent to another centre for testing. |
| Histopathology | Electron Microscopy | 4.0% gluteraldehyde | 1 month | Arrange with the Histology laboratory prior to taking sample- tel extn 52362 |
| Histopathology | Frozen Section | Send sample in dry pot |
Less than 1 hour *complex/multiple blocks/multiple specimens may take longer. |
Arrange with Histology Laboratory prior to taking sample - tel extn 52362 . See notes in 'Sending High Risk Specimens' section if patient is known, or suspected, to be an infection hazard.*Please note that we are no longer able to offer a frozen section service to count neutrophils in specimens from orthopaedic joint revision surgery (see explanatory note in Histopathology Section) |
| Histopathology | Histological examination | Formalin unless frozen section or other specialist request | 3-14 days | Most specimens are reported within the 3-14 day period. Complex or specimens that need more consideration or additional special investigations will take longer to report. |
| Histopathology | Immunofluorescence (IMF) - skin/mucosal biopsies | In time for the next Dermatology CPC Meeting (following the date of the biopsy) | In time for the next Dermatology CPC Meeting (following the date of the biopsy) | Reference should be made to special notes in 'Immunofluorescence (IMF) on skin and mucosal biopsies' section |
| Histopathology | Iron (Dry weight) | Dry container | 6 weeks | Annotate 'DRY IRON WEIGHT REQUEST' on request form. Place specimen dry in wide mouth container. DO NOT ADD FORMALIN. Specimen sent away for testing. |
| Histopathology | Ovarian tumours | Dry container | 3-14 days | Reference should be made to special notes in the 'Gynaecological (ovarian and endometrial tumours)' section.Most specimens are reported within the 3-14 day period. Complex or specimens that need more consideration or additional special investigations will take longer to report. |
| Histopathology | Renal Biopsy | Provided by BMS on attendance at the biopsy. Alternatively biopsies may be transported direct to the lab in saline soaked gauze for examination and transfer to the correct containers. | 3-14 days | BMS attendance at renal biopsies is by arrangement. Telephone the laboratory 52362. A BMS will attend if possible; this may be difficult over the lunchtime period 12.30 – 13.30. (Biopsies may be transported direct to the laboratory for examination, in cases of emergency). Biopsies must be received before 16.00 to ensure processing overnight. |
| Histopathology | Skin for Immunofluorescence (IMF) | 3 weeks | Reference should be made to special notes in 'Immunofluorescence (IMF) on skin and mucosal biopsies' section | |
| Neuropathology | Intra-operative diagnosis -Frozen section/brain smear | Send sample in dry pot | Less than 1 hour | Arrange with laboratory prior to taking sample - tel extn 54408 . See notes in 'Sending High Risk Specimens' section if patient is known, or suspected, to be an infection hazard. |
| Neuropathology | Muscle Biopsies | 2 weeks | Reference should be made to special notes in the 'Muscle and Nerve Biopsies' section. | |
| Neuropathology | Nerve Biopsies | 4-6 weeks | Reference should be made to special notes in the 'Muscle and Nerve Biopsies' section. | |
| Mortuary | Post Mortem Examination | Up to 3 months dependant on the material retained | Consent required. See Anatomical Pathology (Mortuary section)/Requesting a consented autopsy. | |
| Neuropathology | Skin biopsy for small fibre neuropathy | 2 weeks | Arrange with lab prior to sending on ext 30852 and see special notes in 'Skin biopsies for Intraepidermal Nerve Fibre Density' section. | |
| Neuropathology | Surgical histology | 10% Buffered Formalin unless frozen section or other specialist request | Median 2 working days | Most specimens are reported within the 2 day period. Complex or specimens that need more consideration or additional special investigations will take longer to report. |
| Neuropathology/ Molecular Biology | MGMT assay | Contact either Dr D Hilton on 31360 or Dr A Shivane on 32033 | ||
| Neuropathology/ Molecular Biology | Loss of hetrozygosity 1p and 19q in oligodendrogliomas | 10ml EDTA blood | Contact Joanna Farrugia, Molecular biology 52408. |
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