Renal Sample Requirements
Adequate tissue for diagnosis of renal diseases is obtained by needle biopsy. The pathologic diagnosis results from the study of 3 separate samples, processed each by a different technique: light microscopy to review slides prepared with 4 different stains, immunohistochemistry using 10 specific immunofluorescent antibodies to investigate deposition of complements, immune complexes and light chains, and electron microscopic examination for ultrastructural evaluation.
As each of the 3 techniques requires a different sample, submitted in a specific fixative, we provide the biopsy kit with 3 containers with the fixatives: Zinc-Formalin for light microscopy, Zeus/Michel's transport media for immunofluorescence, and 3% glutaraldehyde for electron microscopy. Please note that the gluteraldehyde should be kept refrigerated and brought to room temperature before use.
- The renal biopsy consists of 2 needle cores, each measuring 1.5-2 cm in length. If the cores measure less than 1 cm, 4 cores should be obtained. Samples need to be rapidly placed into the containers from the kit.
- With a new blade, section 0.1 cm from each end of the cores and place the 4 resected 0.1 cm sections in glutaraldehyde for electron microscopy. Place one core in formalin for light microscopy and the second core into Zeus/Michel's transport media for immunofluorescence.
Biopsies may be submitted by courier or by mail. Upon request, the necessary requisition forms, kits and instructions for handling the biopsy samples will be supplied. The kit contains three fixatives: Zinc-Formalin for light microscopy, Zeus/Michel's transport media for immunofluorescence, and 3% glutaraldehyde for electron microscopy. The requisition must include pertinent clinical data, telephone and FAX number of the physician to be notified of the diagnosis. These materials are mailed/submitted to:
Manager of Anatomic Pathology
Tulane University Hospital & Clinic
1415 Tulane Ave. - HC49
Floor 2, Room #2400
New Orleans, LA 70112-2632
