Neuropathology Services offer expert neuro-biopsy interpretation. In addition, consultative services are available for brain, pituitary, muscle, nerve and eye biopsies, as well as for autopsy material. Supportive services include:
Immunohistochemistry
Electron microscopy (EM)
Muscle histochemistry
Fluorescence insitu hybridization (FISH)
Tests Performed
Brain biopsies and autopsies
Intraoperative diagnosis by H&E stained, touch prep, squash prep and frozen sections
Paraffin-embedded sections, H&E routine stain
Special stains--Bielschowsky, Luxol Fast Blue-PAS, Congo Red, Reticulin, other.
Immunohistochemistry--GFAP, S100, Synaptophysin, Chromogranin, EMA, CK, M1B-1, Beta amyloid, Tau, Ubiquitin, and others
Comprehensive workup of congenital and acquired muscle disorders is available, including immunohistochemical evaluations for various pediatric and adult muscular dystrophies
Paraffin sections--H&E and special stains as needed
Frozen section--H&E, Masson Trichrome, Adenosine Triphosphatase (ATPase) (acid and alkaline), NADH, Esterase, PAS, Oil red O, Myophosphorylase, COX, SDH
Immunohistochemistry (Paraffin and Frozen sections), Dystrophin, Myosin, Utrophin, Dystrophy Panel (Sarcoglycans, Dysferlin, Merosin/Laminin, Emerin, Beta-dystroglycan), Myositis Panel (MHC Class I and II, LCA, CD3, CD20)
Click thumbnails to enlarge:
Nerve biopsies
Paraffin sections--H&E, LFB-PAS
Semi-thin sections from resin-embedded specimen
EM--available if required
Immunohistochemistry--CD68, CD45 (LCA), CD20, CD3, Neurofilament and others
Ophthalmic Pathology
H&E, PAS, other special stains or procedures if needed
Specimen Handling
Client Services 804-828-PATH (828-7284); 1-800-363-9234
Please refer to our Lab Services Catalog under Anatomical and Surgical Pathology for specimen handling information.
Special Instructions
A surgical pathology Accession Sheet with adequate clinical history and a differential diagnosis must accompany the specimens for their proper interpretation. Please include the proper ICD-9 code.
All specimens are to be sent in 10% Formalin EXCEPT muscle and nerve biopsies.
Muscle biopsies must be scheduled at least 24-36 hours in advance.
Muscle and nerve biopsies are to be delivered wrapped in saline-moistened gauze. If possible, they are NOT to be clamped.
Must be delivered as soon as possible.
Please contact Client Services 804-828-PATH (828-7284); 1-800-363-9234 for assistance with the Accession Sheet and detailed information about transportation, specimen handling, separation prior to transportation and causes for rejection.
The Anatomic Pathology Receiving area is located at the MCV campus in the Gateway Building, 1200 E. Marshall Street, 6th floor, (804) 828-9739.
Consultative Services
Consultative services are available for brain, pituitary, muscle, nerve and eye biopsies, as well as for autopsy material.
Education and Training
All faculty members actively participate in numerous interdisciplinary conferences and are involved in the education of medical students and in the training of pathology, neurology, and neurosurgery residents. Residents complete a one-month rotation with access to extensive teaching materials including a Neuropathology CD-ROM, CAP Neuropathology survey cases, and selected glass slides. They attend slide conferences, clinico-pathological conferences, weekly brain cutting sessions, and participate in daily discussions of clinical cases. Brain cutting is held 9am every Friday in Sanger Hall B02-018. All VCUHS physicians, students and nursing staff are invited to attend.
The Department also offers a Fellowship Training Program with the aim of preparing participants for neuropathology board certification.
with adequate clinical history and a differential diagnosis must accompany the specimens for their proper interpretation. 