UMDNJ-NEUROPATHOLOGY LABORATORY
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REFERRING HOSPITALS

1. Muscle and nerve biopsies must be scheduled with at least 24 hours advance notice.  Biopsies should be received from 9 AM to 2 PM on Monday through Wednesday, excluding holidays. Please speak to someone in the lab directly, to get a confirmation.

2. A muscle biopsy should measure at least 2.5 x 1.0 x 1.0 cm and should not be tied to any object. A nerve biopsy should be at least 3 cm long. (Please refer to our protocols for details.)  The specimen must be wrapped in saline moistened gauze (never floating) and placed in a small container labeled with the surgical pathology number and the patient's name. The container must be submerged in ice (NOT DRY ICE) and placed in an insulated container. It must be delivered within one hour of the time of biopsy.

3. Previously frozen or formalin-fixed muscle or nerve will be accepted, with prior approval, at the Neuropathologist’s discretion.

4. The patient's clinical history must be attached. If detailed information is not available, the name and telephone number of the patient's private physician must be given.

5. All bills will be directed from this laboratory to the referring hospital laboratory. We cannot bill patients directly.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COURIERS

The specimen (a perishable item) must be rushed and hand delivered to one of the technicians at the following address:

UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Medical Science Building
Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, Room C525
        (one flight above the lobby level)
185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103-2757
Phone: (973) 972-7167