Biopsy Submitting Samples

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Biopsy Submission Form

Biopsy Fee ($110*) includes:

*price increase effective April 1, 2023

  • Routine H&E processing
  • Special stains (for bacteria, fungi etc), if needed
  • Margin evaluation, if requested
    • Please check the box ‘Yes’ that you would like the margins evaluated
  • Decalcification of bone, as needed
  • Up to 5 different sites from a single animal
    • There is an additional charge of $25 if there are more than 5 biopsy sites (with the exception of multiple gastrointestinal and dermatologic biopsies which will be considered as one site).

      There will be a $25.00 fee added if you would like your results reported sooner (STAT cases).

Microscopic descriptions and interpretations of lesions are typically reported within 72 hours.

  • Results are reported by an automated fax
    • If a fax machine is not available, results can be sent via U.S. Postal Service or e-mail
  • Samples of bone, particularly digits and jaws with teeth, can take an extended period of time for decalcification, which will result in a substantial delay in reporting results (up to 2 weeks or more in some cases)
  • If special stains or consultations with other pathologists are required, these additional steps may result in a delay in reporting results

Sample handling:

  • Tissue samples should be placed in 10% neutral buffered formalin with at formalin to tissue ratio of 10:1
    • Please do not try to formalin –fix large samples (spleen, limbs), just refrigerate them and have them delivered promptly to UT
  • Please use only screw-top lids to avoid formalin spillage during transport
  • Please do not use glass containers (to minimize the risk of breakage during transport)
  • Please place the completed paperwork in a plastic bag to protect it in case of spillage during transport
  • Samples can be mailed to UT, picked up by FedEx or the UT courier service

For examination of surgical excision (margins) we recommend:

  • Painting the excisional margins with surgical marking dye prior to fixation (click here for detailed instructions)​
  • For larger skin masses (>3 cm diameter), partial transection from the skin side into the specimen approximately ¾ of the way through the sample (toward the deep margin) to improve fixation
  • Marking the orientation of at least one margin (e.g. cranial, caudal, right or left lateral) by suture placement

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