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 placed in formalin with 20 times the volume of the sample, for fresh specimen, transport immediately to the laboratory
Sample Stability
Fix tissue from 24 to 48 hours at 15 to 25°C, specimen stable until 30 days post reporting
Synonyms
Paraffin block histopathology pathology
Turnaround Time
5 days
Turnaround Time Varies. Please note that TAT’s are working days i.e. Monday – Friday, excluding weekends and statutory holidays. HISTOLOGY REPORTS TAT for urgent specimens is 3 – 5 working days. TAT for non-urgent specimens is 90% of cases reported in 10 working days. However it should be noted that TAT is governed by the complexity of the specimen and any additional testing may extend the TAT to greater than 10 days. Urgent Reports Results may be available earlier if the clinical situation warrants this, through consultation with either the on-call or reporting Histopathologist. Clinical staff to whom the results are to be communicated should be specified with their contact details.
Specimen Type
- Biopsy
- Tissue
Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Please refer to Additional Information below
Paediatric Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Please refer to Additional Information below
Pre-testing Requirements
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
The following is a brief outline. If there are any queries concerning specimen handling, please contact the laboratory.
Use appropriate size container to completely immerse specimen in 10% formalin.
ROUTINE SPECIMENS
Include: Small biopsies, excision specimens
Attention: For large specimens, do not place into specimen collection containers that could be mistake as food or beverage containers.
LARGE SPECIMENS
Large specimens should be submitted in 10% formalin and transferred to the laboratory as soon as possible. Large specimens received after hours are placed into a dedicated refrigerator to ensure tissue preservation.
FRESH SPECIMENS
Fresh Specimens should be sent immediately to the laboratory. Please contact the laboratory for any delays in transport.
SMALL BIOPSIES
Immerse immediately in at least a ten-fold volume of 10% formalin in an adequately sized and tightly sealed container.
LYMPH NODE EXCISION BIOPSIES
Lymph node biopsies and all other tissue biopsies where the diagnosis of either lymphoproliferative disorder or infection is suspected must be submitted fresh as soon as possible to the laboratory.
The Histopathology laboratory must be contact on 09 2760000extn. 52279 prior to sending to the lab to notify them of the specimen.
NB: These specimens must be received by the Histopathology lab no later than 1600h from Monday to Friday.
LIVER BIOPSIES
Biopsy specimens should be submitted in formalin (unless otherwise requested).
Post-transplant liver biopsies and pre-transplant liver biopsies of deceased donors are processed and reported at LabPlus, Auckland City Hospital. These specimens should be discussed directly with the on-call Pathologist at LabPlus 09 3078995 extn. 22090.
SKIN BIOPSIES FOR SKIN LYMPHOMA
If you suspect you patient has a cutaneous lymphoma, then two samples should be submitted. The first biopsy should be submitted in formalin (for histology). The second biopsy should be sent fresh, on saline soaked gauze (for flow cytometry testing or T-cell receptor studies). These biopsies should be sent together, with relevant clinical information (and differential diagnosis) included on the lab form.
As the specimen is sent fresh, it must be marked URGENT and must be received by the lab no later the 4pm (Monday to Friday). DO NOT send fresh specimens over the weekend.
CERVICAL TISSUE FOR HISTOLOGY (BIOPSY, LLETZ, HPV TESTING)
Use the Counties Manukau Cervical Histopathology form for all cervical tissue specimens.
Cone specimens must be oriented with a stitch, and the orientation information must be provided on the request form (e.g. stitch at 12 o’clock).
LLETZ specimens must be pinned to a piece of corkboard, and the orientation information must be provided on the request form (e.g. one pin at 12 o’clock, 2 pins at 6 o’clock). If the LLETZ is in multiple pieces , please provide a diagram on the request form to aid with orientation.
VAGINAL / VULVAL BIOPSIES AND EXCISIONS
Vaginal and vulval specimens for HPV-associated lesions: Use the Counties Manukau Cervical Histopathology form.
Vaginal and vulval specimens HPV-independent lesions, and biopsies for suspected inflammatory diseases (e.g. lichen sclerosus): Routine histology forms can be used. Detailed description of the clinical examination findings must be provided for inflammatory diseases.
Vaginal and vulval excisions: Pinning the specimen to a piece of corkboard is preferable to prevent the tissue distorting during formalin fixation. Orientated the specimen if clinically required for margin assessment and provide orientation on the request form.
ENDOMETRIAL BIOPSIES (Pipelles, Curettings, MyoSure)
Use the Endometrial Histopathology Request Form sticker and fill in all sections. If stickers are not available please include all of the information on a routine histology form (i.e. clinical presentation and question for pathologist, LMP, hormonal therapy, imaging / hysteroscopic findings, BMI and other risk factors – DM, tamoxifen, PCOS, family hx, prior hyperplasia).
LARGE GYNAE SPECIMENS (Hysterectomies, Ovarian Cysts)
Outsourced surgical resection specimens must have adequate clinical information provided on the lab form, and access to an operation note via Clinical Portal is required.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Laboratory Hours are Monday to Friday between the hours of 0800 and 1700.
During this time the Histopathology Laboratory offers a full service.
After hours specimens are received by Central Specimen Reception (Level 1, Harley Grey Building, Middlemore Hospital) until the following day.
During normal working hours
For General Enquiries please contact the Histology Secretary on 09 2760000 extn. 58154 or CM-Histology.Secretary@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz .
For FNA or Frozen Section booking requests please contact the Team Administrator on 09 2760000 extn. 52279.
Cases requiring further discussion, preliminary reports and frozen section results will be communicated by telephone from laboratory medical staff (Histopathologist or Registrar) to clinical medical staff.
Last updated: 17/04/2026