Biopsy, Cytology, and Microbiology Kits

Biopsy Kit

Included are a plastic specimen bottle filled with 10% neutral buffered formalin and with a label affixed to record the clinician's and patient's name; a larger, plastic outer bottle with screw cap in which the specimen bottle is placed; a clear FedEx medical specimen bag with self-adhesive sealing tape and a pre-paid return FedEx shipping label affixed; and the multipurpose UT Health Science Center Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Laboratory request form.

Cytology Kit

Cytology specimens are handled similarly to biopsy specimens. The ThinPrep® method, which has been shown to produce better specimens than conventional smears, is used, unless a different stain (e.g., periodic acid-Schiff for Candida) is requested by the submitting clinician. Each ThinPrep® kit contains a sealed and sterile cytology collection brush and container of PreservCyt® solution. Also included are instructions for specimen collection and the multipurpose UT Memphis Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Laboratory request form.

Microbiology Kit

Included in each kit are one microscopic slide for Gram staining; a plastic slide holder; and a HealthLink® TransPorter® sterile transport system for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria; and the multipurpose UT Memphis Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Laboratory request form.

Immunofluorescence Kit

For transport of direct immunofluorescence specimens a container of Michel's solution is provided with a label affixed to record the clinician's and patient's name; instructions for specimen collection; a larger, plastic outer bottle with screw cap in which the specimen bottle is placed; a clear FedEx medical specimen bag with self-adhesive sealing tape and a pre-paid return FedEx shipping label affixed; and the multipurpose UT Health Science Center Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Laboratory request form. Michel's solution will properly preserve unfixed, perilesional biopsy specimens of oral mucosa taken to diagnose or rule out mucocutaneous diseases such as pemphigus or pemphigoid during shipment to the laboratory. This transport medium has an expiration date, so long-term storage is not recommended.