Frozen Section (Fresh Tissue)

Testing Laboratory

Department

Histology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

ASRG

Test Code (Numeric Code)

9030

Laboratory Handling

Sample Stability

Urgent/Critical. Specimen must be submitted FRESH. DO NOT ADD FORMALIN, as these render the sample unsuitable for freezing. Room temperature for immediate delivery.

Synonyms

Intraoperative Consultation
Fresh Tissue Examination
Rapid Microscopic Analysis

Turnaround Time

30 minutes

The standard turnaround time for a case requiring only 1 block is 30 minutes from the time the specimen is receipted in the laboratory. Turnaround time will vary depending on the complexity of the specimen.

Specimen Type

• Tissue

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Specimen Container

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Specimen Container

Pre-testing Requirements

Frozen Section – Booking and Communication Requirements:

Frozen sections must be booked in advance with the Histology Laboratory on +64 (0)9 307 8995, ext. 22090 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–5:00 pm) before the procedure is carried out.

The requesting clinician’s name and a contact number for reporting results must be clearly written on the Frozen Section / Fresh Tissue (Orange) Request Form.

The Histology Laboratory must be contacted on +64 (0)9 307 8995, ext. 22090 when the specimen leaves theatre to ensure timely processing.

For frozen sections required outside standard Histology working hours, contact the on‑call Histopathologist via the Hospital Switchboard on +64 (0)9 307 4949.

Additional Specimen Information

Frozen Section – Transport Requirements:

Specimen MUST be submitted fresh.
Immediate transport is required — samples must reach the Histology Laboratory within 15–20 minutes of excision.

If a delay is unavoidable, transport the specimen chilled (2–8°C) but DO NOT place directly on ice and keep it moist by placing the tissue on saline-dampened gauze inside a specimen container. Do not submerge in saline.

The specimen must be accompanied by a completed Frozen Section / Fresh Tissue (Orange) Request Form.

Test Method

Cryotomy and Rapid H&E histopathology

Limitations / Interference

Freezing Artifact: The freezing process can cause cellular distortion (ice crystal artefact), which may limit the clarity of microscopic details to permanent sections.
Sampling: Small foci of disease may not be visible in the limited sections taken during the frozen section procedure.
Deferred Diagnosis: In complex cases, the pathologist may "defer to permanent" if a definitive diagnosis cannot be safely rendered on frozen tissue alone.

Resources

• Frozen Section Request Form (1 MB)

Contact Information