| ANATOMIC PATHOLOGY: CYTOLOGY This laboratory performs and interprets fine needle aspiration of superficial masses in the thyroid, breast, and lymph nodes. Surface marker analysis is available. Referred patients are usually accommodated within a week, and in routine cases diagnoses are ready within 24 hours. If physicians choose to perform their own aspirations in consultation with the laboratory, slides, fixatives, mailers and forms are supplied. To assist physicians in achieving optimal results, laboratory staff is available for consultation on improving aspiration techniques. The laboratory also provides routine gynecologic and non-gynecologic cytology screening. NEUROPATHOLOGY Neuropathology staff specialize in the evaluation of nerve and muscle biopsies. In addition to providing the traditional laboratory services, selected studies range from histochemistry through immunohistology to ultrastructural analysis. If requested, the section provides special equipment and consultation to ensure the optimal processing of material. SPECIAL HISTOLOGY Adept in the use of immunocytochemical techniques and DNA/RNA probes applied to tissue, this laboratory specializes in the diagnosis of unusual tumors by immunologic techniques and encourages consultation with a specially skilled pathologist. Capabilities range from routine skin biopsies to renal biopsies and lymphocyte markers. The laboratory routinely classifies leukemias and lymphomas using the broadest available panels of accepted CD antigens and enzymes. If requested, same day turnaround is provided for special serologic studies such as anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antigen (ANCA), used for the diagnosis of vasculitis and anti-basement membrane antigen (Goodpasture's disease). Probes for viral nucleic acid (in situ and in situ PCR hybridization) for CMV, herpes, papilloma virus among others are available. Panels for melanoma, germ cell tumors, mesothelioma, soft tissue neoplasms and steroid receptors (used in carcinoma of the breast) are regularly performed. PEDIATRIC PATHOLOGY Directed by a certified Pediatric Pathologist, this laboratory offer expert services and consultation in placental pathology and routine pediatric pathology. SURGICAL PATHOLOGY The surgical laboratory handles diagnostic biopsies and monitors the removal of diseased tissues. Pathologists with expertise ranging from cancer of the prostate to inflammatory diseases of the lung examine surgical material utilizing the latest techniques. Specimens are analyzed by modalities ranging from traditional staining to esoteric probes from nucleic acids (the constituents of RNA and DNA). Great care and rapid reporting are the keynotes sounded here. Services are available seven days a week, 24 hours each day. Frozen sections on intraoperative cases are performed regularly and consultation with our surgeons is always ongoing. ULTRASCTRUCTURAL LABORATORY The Ultrastructural Laboratory utilizes transmission, scanning, and X-ray electron microscopy to reveal the structure of tissues at the highest magnifications. Many tumors can only be categorized by studying the innermost details of their cellular structure. This area is staff by a highly experienced pathologist whose expertise ranges from genetic errors to those resulting from environmental toxins. The staff in this area uses special plastics to embed the tissue and the sharpest bladed to cut extremely thin sections that can be examined by beams of electrons. This occurs while the specimen is suspended on metal grids in a vacuum. We can even identify molecular components by using antibodies attached to tiny gold spheres that are easily recognized in the electron beam. |
