Pathology Handbook

Histology - Skin Biopsy CADASIL (Sendaway Test)

Registered by Anatomical Pathology as a BX accession

Requires pathologist authorisation prior to dispatch to SA Pathology

Requires a copy of the Pathology Request form and Sendaway test request letter to be completed and sent with the specimen

As soon as is practical after excision fix tissue specimens in glutaraldehyde fixative. SA Patholgy's standard fixative is 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1M sodium cacodylate buffer. Other buffering agents such as phosphate are also acceptable.

The specimen can be collected into formalin and transferred to glutaraldehyde in the laboratory. If glutaraldehyde is unavailable the tissue can be fixed with buffered formalin, but the tissue morphology and diagnosis may be compromised.

Allow the specimen to fix for 24 hours in glutaraldehyde fixative before transport to SA Pathology. If the specimen is received in formalin transfer to EM fixative as soon as possible.

The specimen cannot be transported to SA Pathology in glutaraldehyde fixative.

Glutaraldehyde and cacodylate buffer are both dangerous goods.

Fix the tissue specimen overnight and then wash, transport in phosphate buffer only.