Cytogenetics Website
Solid Tissue samples
Reasons for Referral
• Spontaneous loss of pregnancy.
• Intra uterine and neonatal death.
• Termination of pregnancy following an abnormal ultra sound scan.
• Termination of pregnancy following abnormal prenatal diagnosis.
• Phenotype suggestive of chromosome abnormality.
• Confirmation or diagnosis of mosaic chromosome abnormalities.
• Cultures will also be established for the study of inborn errors of metabolism. These samples must be accompanied by a covering letter from the referring clinician to identify where the sample is sent. A contact name and address for invoicing purposes should be provided.
• Cell storage.
Samples requiring specialist studies in another laboratory must be accompanied by a covering letter from the referring clinician to identify where the sample is to be sent. A contact name and address for invoicing purpose should be provided.
Tissues Required
1) Solid Tissue samples (products of conception, skin samples, cord, placenta cartilage and lung etc).
2) A full thickness skin sample.
Samples collected into formalin and those that are obviously infected are unsuitable for cytogenetic studies and no attempt will be made to culture such specimens.
• A completed referral card must accompany all samples.
Sample Transport
Fetuses are not accepted by the laboratory and, if sent, will be returned.
• Samples should be addressed to
Cytogenetics Unit,
St. James’s Hospital,
Beckett Street,
Leeds
LS9 7TF
• Cytogenetic analysis requires living cells. Please ensure that the sample reaches us as quickly as possible (within 48 hours). First class post is satisfactory for non-urgent samples.
• Samples should not be frozen, exposed to excess heat or stored in formalin.
• If there is a delay in transit please store the sample at 4°C (in a refrigerator).
• Please try to avoid sending samples at weekends or bank holidays.
• Samples should be collected into a sterile Universal container containing culture medium and antibiotics (see ordering medium page). A supply of these tubes can be obtained from the laboratory.
• If no transport medium is available it is possible to send the tissue in isotonic saline or in a dry sterile vessel. These samples should be sent to the laboratory without delay.
ALL PACKAGES MUST CONFORM TO POST OFFICE REGULATIONS
(Copies are available from the Post Office)
Reporting of Results
• The reporting time is dependent upon rate of cell growth in culture, but generally results are available in 2-4 weeks.
• If cell culture is unsuccessful then a report will be issued within 21 days.
• Samples referred following cytogenetic prenatal diagnosis of aneuploidy (usually trisomy or monosomy) may be confirmed using Fluorescent In Situ Hybridisation (FISH) techniques only.
• Results are sent to the referring clinician. Complex abnormal results are usually telephoned prior to the written report being sent and the interpretation and implication discussed.
• In response to telephone enquiries, only normal results or those which confirm a previous finding are given to a clinicians secretary or the clinic sister. All other results are only given to clinicians or faxed reports are sent to designated contacts.
Last Updated 16/10/06