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NEUROPATHOLOGY
Neuropathology
The Neuropathology Division of the Department of Pathology offers specialized
procedures and analysis for neurosurgeons, neurologists and pathologists. The
laboratory provides quick turn-around on diagnostic procedures, telephone
consultation, and detailed written reports on all cases. The consultants are:
Drs. Karl Schwarz and Ady Kendler. The following services are provided through
the program:
MUSCLE BIOPSIES:
Diagnostic procedures
available for muscle biopsies include histological, histochemical,
immunohistochemical and electron microscopic
evaluations. These analyses are particularly helpful in differentiating:
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Inflammatory myopathies
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Type-specific myopathies
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Subtypes of muscular dystrophies
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Congenital myopathies
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Neurogenic muscle atrophy
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Inclusion body myositis
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Fascioscapulohumeral and limb-girdle dystrophic syndromes. |
NERVE BIOPSIES:
Diagnostic procedures
available for peripheral nerve biopsies include histochemical stains for primary
myelin loss, primary axon loss, vasculopathies or vasculitis. Electron microscopic evaluation
is also available when
indicated. These procedures are helpful in evaluating and differentiating:
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Chronic or acute demyelinating neuropathies |
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Primary axonopathies
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Vascular neuropathies
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NEUROSURGICAL
PATHOLOGY:
Particular interest and
experience in neurosurgical pathology of the central nervous system combined with
support from a variety of histological, immunohistochemical and electron
microscopic techniques provide a variety of capabilities for evaluating problem
neurosurgical cases including:
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Lower-grade glial neoplasms versus reactive gliosis |
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Higher-grade glial neoplasms versus unusual metastatic tumors or pleomorphic
xanthoastrocytomas
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Gangliogliomas versus harmartomas or desmoplasmic astrocytomas |
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PML versus HIV encephalitis or toxoplasma encephalitis |
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Multiple sclerosis or related demyelinating diseases versus glial neoplasms
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NEURODEGENERATIVE
DISORDERS:
Particular interest and
experience in the area of neurodegenerative disorders also make unique
diagnostic capabilities available for evaluation of post-mortem tissue to
distinguish:
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Alzheimer's disease versus vascular dementia, multi-infarct dementia, frontal
lobe dementia, Pick's disease, diffuse Lewy body disease or Dementia Lacking
Distinctive Histopathology (DLDH); Huntington's disease |
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Parkinson's disease versus diffuse Lewy body disease, progressive supranuclear
palsy (PSP) or striatonigral degeneration |
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Evidence for familial or hereditary neurodegenerative disorders; information
pertinent to individual or family genetics counseling |
Neuropathology Mailing
Information and Specimen Handling
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Microscope slides, formalin-fixed tissue or paraffin embedded blocks may be
submitted according to standard consultation protocols for neurosurgical and
autopsy cases
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For muscle biopsies, muscle specimens may be sent fresh or frozen accompanied
by formalin and/or glutaraldehyde-fixed samples. A detailed protocol for
preparation of muscle and nerve biopsy specimens is available upon request
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Submission of clinical history and, where relevant, CT scans, MR images
greatly facilitate the analysis of cases
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STORAGE AND
TRANSPORT
Protocols are available
for handling and transporting all tissue specimens.
For more information or
assistance in ordering any laboratory test, please
contact:
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