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The following tests are performed by the Neuropathology Team. Please see below for sample requirements, test costs, and target turnaround times from sample receipt. The team will endeavour to accommodate shorter turnaround times in clinically urgent cases. Please contact the laboratory to discuss this prior to sending the sample.
Routine biopsies
Assay information
Neuropathology offer both technical work up and reporting of specialist central nervous system biopsies.
Specimen type(s) and minimum volume
Tissue fixed in formalin, paraffin embedded blocks or pre-prepared slides.
Cost
Dependant on complexity, please contact the laboratory for more information.
Transport
Specialist courier (formalin fixed tissue)
Sample must arrive within working hours Monday - Friday, 9am- 5pm.
First class post (blocks/slides)
Turnaround time
5 -7 working days
Accredited assay
UKAS 8642
External Quality Assurance (EQA)
• UK NEQAS CPT – Neuropathology
• UK NEQAS for IHC & FISH
Further information
email: wcf-tr.wcftpathologylabs@nhs.net
Telephone: 0151 5564002
Immunohistochemistry
Assay information
Neuropathology offer a comprehensive repertoire of specialist immunohistochemistry antibodies performed using the Roche Benchmark Ultra. Please contact the laboratory for our current repertoire of antibodies or refer to our UKAS scope.
Specimen type(s) and minimum volume
Paraffin embedded tissue blocks or pre-cut slides.
Cost
£20 per slide
Transport
First class post (blocks/slides)
Turnaround time
Three working days
Accredited assay
UKAS 8642
External Quality Assurance (EQA)
• UK NEQAS CPT – Neuropathology
• UK NEQAS for IHC & FISH
Further information
email: wcf-tr.wcftpathologylabs@nhs.net
Telephone: 0151 5564002
Special stains
Assay information
Neuropathology offer a comprehensive repertoire of specialist tinctorial stains. Please contact the laboratory for our current repertoire or refer to our UKAS scope.
Specimen type(s) and minimum volume
Paraffin embedded tissue blocks or pre-cut slides.
Cost
£10 per slide
Transport
First class post (blocks/slides)
Turnaround time
Three working days
Accredited assay
UKAS 8642
External Quality Assurance (EQA)
• UK NEQAS CPT – Neuropathology
Further information
email: wcf-tr.wcftpathologylabs@nhs.net
Telephone: 0151 5564002
Muscle enzyme histochemistry
Assay information
Neuropathology offer a full muscle enzyme histochemistry work up including technical work and full interpretive reporting.
Specimen type(s) and minimum volume
Fresh muscle biopsy measuring minimum of 1cm3 wrapped in saline soaked gauze
Cost
£450 for both technical work and report
Transport
Specialist courier. Sample must arrive within working hours Monday-Friday, 9am- 3pm.
Turnaround time
15 working days
Accredited assay
UKAS 8642
External Quality Assurance (EQA)
• UK NEQAS Muscle Histochemistry
Further information
email: wcf-tr.wcftpathologylabs@nhs.net
Telephone: 0151 5564002
Please contact the laboratory to ensure we are able to accept your muscle biopsy prior to sending.
Muscle inflammatory panel
Assay information
Neuropathology offers a comprehensive muscle inflammatory immunohistochemistry panel including technical work and full interpretive reporting.
Specimen type(s) and minimum volume
Fresh muscle biopsy measuring minimum of 1cm3 wrapped in saline soaked gauze.
Cost
£80 for both technical work and report
Transport
Specialist courier. Sample must arrive within working hours Monday-Friday, 9am- 3pm.
Turnaround time
15 working days
Accredited assay
UKAS 8642
External Quality Assurance (EQA)
N/A
Further information
email: wcf-tr.wcftpathologylabs@nhs.net
Telephone: 0151 5564002
Please contact the laboratory to ensure we are able to accept your muscle biopsy prior to sending.
Muscular dystrophy panel
Assay information
Neuropathology offer a full muscular dystrophy immunohistochemistry work up including technical work and full interpretive reporting.
Specimen type(s) and minimum volume
Fresh muscle biopsy measuring minimum of 1cm3 wrapped in saline soaked gauze
Cost
£150 for both technical work and report
Transport
Specialist courier. Sample must arrive within working hours Monday-Friday, 9am- 3pm.
Turnaround time
15 working days
Accredited assay
UKAS 8642
External Quality Assurance (EQA)
N/A
Further Information
email: wcf-tr.wcftpathologylabs@nhs.net
Telephone: 0151 5564002
Please contact the laboratory to ensure we are able to accept your muscle biopsy prior to sending.
Peripheral nerve biopsies
Assay information
Neuropathology offer both technical work up and reporting of peripheral nerve biopsies.
Specimen type(s) and minimum volume
Approx. 3cm of nerve biopsy. Please contact the laboratory prior to taking the nerve biopsy so we can provide you with a protocol and the appropriate fixatives.
Cost
Please contact the laboratory.
Transport
Specialist courier. Sample must arrive within working hours Monday-Friday, 9am- 3pm.
Turnaround time
15 working days
Accredited Assay
UKAS 8642
External Quality Assurance (EQA)
N/A
Further Information
email: wcf-tr.wcftpathologylabs@nhs.net
Telephone: 0151 5564002
Please contact the laboratory to ensure we are able to accept your nerve biopsy prior to sending.
Transmission electron microscopy
Assay information
Neuropathology offer specimen processing (up to four blocks) / Electron microscopy preparation and ultrastructure report on appropriate central nervous system tissue.
Specimen type(s) and minimum volume
Please contact the laboratory to discuss specimen type and requirements
Cost
£250
Transport
Specialist courier. Sample must arrive within working hours, Monday – Friday 9am-5pm.
Turnaround time
15 working days
Accredited assay
UKAS 8642
External Quality Assurance (EQA)
UKNEQAS for Electron Microscopy
Further information
email: wcf-tr.wcftpathologylabs@nhs.net
Telephone: 0151 5564002
Please contact the laboratory to ensure we are able to accept your sample prior to sending.
Second opinions
Please contact the laboratory for more information
CSF cytology
Assay information
Neuropathology provides CSF cytology reporting primarily for the detection of malignant cells
Specimen type(s) and minimum volume
CSF fluid pre-fixed in 10% alcoholic formalin or if sending fresh, please ensure it arrives the same day.
Cost
£30 for both technical work and reporting
Transport
Specialist courier. Sample must arrive within working hours Monday-Friday, 9am- 5pm.
Turnaround time
Three working days
Accredited assay
UKAS 8642
External Quality Assurance (EQA)
N/A
Further information
email: wcf-tr.wcftpathologylabs@nhs.net
Telephone: 0151 5564002
Please contact the laboratory to ensure we are able to accept your sample prior to sending.
Page last updated: 22 September 2021