Turnaround times
The quoted turnaround time is from sample receipt in the laboratory, to results authorisation in the Laboratory Information Management system. The times do not include transport of specimen to the laboratory or the administrative process to print and post/email reports. Service users must allow for transport and reporting time when ordering tests.
Clinical background:
Requested on advice of consultant or specialist registrar in haematology. Primarily undertaken during investigation of abnormal FBC to look for evidence of haematological malignancy. Also used to investigate lymphadenopathy/splenomegaly, abnormal peripheral blood morphology, if there is a paraprotein, to stage haematological malignancies, look for causes of pyrexia of unknown origin or to look for causes of unexplained anaphylaxis. After processing and staining, reviewing the thin sections using a microscope allows the team to look at the structure of the material as well as the cellular content.
Specimen container paediatric:
Formalin 4% (or paraffin block if processed locally)
Specimen container adult:
Formalin 4% (or paraffin block if processed locally)
Minimum volume paediatric:
N/A
Minimum volume adult:
N/A
Special requirements:
Please complete NEHODS request form. If sending us a trephine paraffin block please also send us one H&E slide.
Sample stability:
N/A
Transport requirements:
Samples should be sent to laboratory immediately.
Freq analysis:
Daily
Add on test:
N/A
Quality assurance:
UK NEQAS trephine quality and interpretation scheme
Interpretation:
By specialist registrar or consultant haematologist or consultant histopathologist
Reference ranges:
N/A
Factors affecting result:
Quality and size of sample
Referenced documents:
N/A
Other info:
H&E and reticulin will be made in all cases. Special stains may be required depending on morphological assessment. Common special stains include Giemsa PAS, Congo red, Sirius red, Masson trichrome, Alcian blue. Immunohistochemistry will be performed depending on morphological assessment and clinical details. A wide range of stains are available covering B-cell and T-cell lymphoma, myeloid neoplasms, histiocytosis and plasma cell neoplasms. When required genetic analysis e.g. FISH, SNP array, molecular testing will be requested on trephine blocks.