Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

Conjunctival Tissue

10% Neutral buffered formalin

Tissue should be placed in appropriate fixative.  Paperwork and container(s) should have two patient identifiers (name and medical record number).  If the specimen consists of multiple containers, each should be separately listed on the request form and clearly indicated on the container.  The form should also have biopsy date, tissue source, and complete patient history.  The attending physician's name or CLP number must be on the form.  The attending physician must mark the box under their name/CLP number if s/he would like the consulting pathologist to order additional stains and/or procedures as necessary to render a diagnosis.

2 working days (Routine cases that do not need special studies)  

Light microscopy

The pathologist will provide an interpretative report.

1. Conjunctival biopsies submitted with the possible diagnosis of cicatricial pemphigoid should be handled as follows:

• The specimen should be divided in two (each piece should be at least 5 mm).  Both pieces should have intact epithelium.
• One piece should be sent in a container on a saline moistened piece of gauze (no formalin). This piece should be delivered immediately to the Immunopathology Laboratory (5 RCP, phone number 6-2688) with the Immunopathology form filled out and box marked for "Pemphigus/Pemphigoid consultation).  Please indicate on bottom of form that tissue is also sent to Eye Path Lab.*
• One piece should be placed in formalin on a piece of filter paper.  It should be sent to Ocular Pathology with the appropriate request form.  Mark the box on the bottom of the form indicating that tissue was also sent to the Immunopathology Laboratory.

*NOTE: Due to lack of fixative, tissue must arrive in the laboratory during the working hours of 8 AM and 5 PM Mon-Friday excluding holidays.  Tissue sent after normal business hours may degrade to the point that analysis is not possible.

2. Definitive excisions of conjunctival malignancies should have sutures placed in appropriate positions to allow orientation of the tissue for evaluation of surgical margins.  There should be a minimum of two sutures (e.g. one long, one short) in the tissue.  The request form should include a diagram indicating the location of the sutures so that the pathologist may orient the specimen.  Tissue should be placed on filter paper prior to placing in formalin to prevent it from rolling.

88304 (may vary depending on complexity of case, extent of surgery, special studies performed)