Testing Laboratory
Counties Manukau | Middlemore HospitalDepartment
Histology
Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)
PSRG
Test Code (Numeric Code)
9022
Laboratory Handling
Transport
Tissue specimen must be fresh or in saline, in a clean labelled container, sent immediately to the Histology Laboratory
Sample Stability
Room temperature (15-25 °C) for immediate delivery to the laboratory
Synonyms
fresh frozen section cryotomy DIFL DIF
Turnaround Time
5 days
Only performed during normal business hours, Monday to Friday
Specimen Type
- Tissue
Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Please refer to Additional Information below
- Specimen Container
Paediatric Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Please refer to Additional Information below
- Specimen Container
Pre-testing Requirements
Imperative tissue is not in preservative
May be submitted fresh or in saline
LABELLING
In addition to standard specimen labelling requirements please include the following information:
• Specimen type
• Pertinent Clinical / Operative details
• Legible signature and printed name
• Contact details of referring Clinician
Failure to correctly label a specimen may result in a recollect being required or a delayed turn-around-time of results.
Additional Specimen Information
As the specimen is sent fresh, it must be clearly marked URGENT and received by the laboratory by 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday. Do not send fresh specimens over the weekend.
Some diagnoses require DIFL testing to confirm the diagnosis. In this case, two skin punch biopsies should be taken. One of these biopsies should be sent in formalin (for histology). The second biopsy should be sent fresh in saline-soaked gauze (for DIFL testing). These biopsies should be sent together, with relevant clinical information (and differential diagnosis) included on the lab form.
If your patient has a blistering disorder: the first biopsy (submitted in formalin) should be from the edge of the blister (sampling both intact and blistered skin). The second biopsy (submitted fresh for DIFL testing) should be taken 1cm away from the edge of the blister. Sampling should be done from a newer blister (less than 48 hours old) as older lesions may result in false negatives.
If your patient may have vasculitis: both biopsies should be taken from a new lesion (less than 24 hours old).
In general, there is a risk of a false-positive result in biopsies taken from sun-damaged skin – if possible, take your biopsies from a sun-protected area.
Last updated: 17/04/2026