Histopathology Services

Histopathology provides a fully comprehensive diagnostic histology service to University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospitals) and its GP community. The Department is able to provide a wide range of expertise to include chest, gastrointestinal, breast, skin, renal, urological, ENT and lymph node pathology.

All histology specimens requiring routine diagnosis must be placed in an adequate volume of 10% neutral buffered formalin (where possible there should be 10 times the volume of formalin to the volume of the specimen). Large resection specimens must be completely immersed in formalin. Whilst tissue sampling is a clinical decision tissues of less than 1mm cubed may not survive tissue processing.

Specimens sent in formalin must not be stored or transported at temperatures below 4 degrees Celcius.

Specimens must be transported to the laboratory as soon as possible as some histology tests are adversley affected by over exposure to formalin.

Where an urgent report is required, the urgent nature of the request should be indicated on the request form along with a contact name and telephone/bleep number.

Urgent small biopsies may be processed more rapidly provided the necessary arrangements are made directly with a senior member of staff.

Frozen sections must, where possible, be arranged 24 hours in advance by contacting the department on Ext 43188  (BHH) with details of the name of the patient, the surgeon, the time of operation, the nature of the specimen, the number of the theatre and its telephone extension. The specimen must be brought directly to the histopathology service laboratory and handed over to a senior member of the medical or biomedical staff.  The request form must include a contact telephone or bleep number.  THE SPECIMEN MUST NOT BE SENT IN FORMALIN.  If the specimen is likely to be infective (eg TB HIV) the clinician must discuss this with the consultant pathologist upon booking the frozen section.  There is a duty of care upon the person booking the frozen section to disclose all relevant information. If the surgical procedure is delayed, please inform the laboratory.

Frozen sections for Solihull and Good Hope hospital can be performed provided that arrangements are made with the Department of Histopathology 24 hours in advance  (EXT 43188).

An extensive immunohistochemistry section is available, providing prognostic and diagnostic information to pathologists and clinicians.

A molecular biology service is offered to aid in the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disorders using FISH (Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridisation) based assays including Bcl2 break apart, Bcl6 break apart, Cyclin D1 break apart, Malt1 break apart, Myc break apart and IgH break apart.

A HER2 testing service.  We perform over 2000 HER2 Immunohistochemistry and 800 FISH tests per year using FDA approved assays.  All testing is performed in accordance with National Guidelines.  We are actively involved in monitoring and auditing all aspects of the HER2 service to best meet the need of our users.  For further information please contact Dr Jane Starcynski 0121 424 2705. The turnaround time for HER2 immunohistochemistry is 14 days.  Request forms are available from 0120 424 2705. Ref HER2 Service Details

Electron microscopy is available as a routine service for renal biopsies.  These specimens are processed at a referral laboratory. However, requests outside this sphere should be discussed with a consultant a member of staff.

A Mohs diagnostic service is currently provided for the dermatology and ophthalmology departments and performed primarily at Solhull Hospital Dermatology Department but also may be performed at the Heartlands Laboratory.

The Department also houses a modern autopsy suit at the Heartlands site and quiet viewing room facilities for families and friends of deceased patients at both Heartlands, Solihull and Good Hope sites.  Please note that covid related restrictions to viewings are currently in place and these are only arranged in exceptional circumstances currently.  Please call the Mortuary at the appropriate site for advice.

Outside routine working hours a Consultant Pathologist can be contacted in case of emergency via the switchboard 0121 424 2000.