Ordering Guidance

Necessary Information

The following information is required:

1. All requisitions must be labeled with:

-Patient name, date of birth and medical record number

-Name and phone number of the referring pathologist or ordering physician

-Anatomic site and collection date

2. All specimens must be labeled with:

-Two patient identifiers (first and last name, date of birth or medical record number)

-Specimen type and anatomic site

3. A brief patient history is essential to achieve a consultation fully relevant to the ordering physician's needs.

4. Although a complete pathology report is not expected to be submitted with the specimen, a clinical diagnosis is required.

5. Clinical and/or dermoscopic imaging should also be included if available. Please submit either on CD with your request.

All requisition and supporting information must be submitted in English.

Specimen Required

Supplies: Dermatopathology Media (T101)

Sources: Skin or oral mucosa

Container/Tube: Regular serum vials with 10% formalin

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen

Collection Instructions: For scalp biopsies: when the differential diagnosis includes a scarring alopecia, 2 separate 4-mm punch biopsies are recommended (1 for vertical and 1 for horizontal sections). If a single scalp biopsy is received with the clinical diagnosis of a scarring alopecia, the specimen will be processed with horizontal sections.

Additional Information: STAT requests are not accepted for this test.