Nerve Biopsy Guide

1. Order a Nerve Biopsy Kit

Please contact us or use our online order form to request biopsy kits.

Therapath can provide testing kits via overnight service or well in advance of the biopsy.

2. Nerve Biopsy Kits

Nerve/Muscle biopsy kits include the following components:

  • Foam insulating container and shipping box

  • Pre-paid shipping label and requisition form

  • Coolant pack (store in a freezer no colder than -20° C)

  • One plastic splint with cutting guides

  • One 3” x 3” gauze pad (for muscle biopsy only)

  • Transport bag holding:

    • Vial 1: Empty vial for fresh, unfixed tissue (for muscle biopsy only)
    • Vial 2: 10% neutral buffered formalin
    • Vial 3: 2.5% glutaraldehyde/2.0% formaldehyde
Muscle Biopsy Vials

Upon receipt, place the coolant pack in the freezer (no colder than -20° C) and store the remainder of the kit at room temperature (22-25° C).

3. Sample Collection

Excise a 3.5 – 4 cm length of peripheral nerve. Lay the nerve in a straight line onto the nerve splint. Do not stretch the nerve and handle gently only by the ends.

4. Sample Preparation

Divide the biopsy, place into vials as follows, and cap all vials tightly. Vial 1 should be discarded.

Peripheral Nerve Biopsy
  1. Tie the nerve to the splint with suture thread at the notches. This is made easier by an assistant holding the splint by with clean forceps.
  2. With a sharp blade and a gentle sawing motion with minimum pressure, cut the nerve as shown.
  3. Using forceps:
  • Place the cut segment into vial 2 (white cap) containing 10% neutral buffered formalin.
  • Place the entire plastic splint with the attached remaining 2.5 cm nerve segment into vial 3 (yellow cap) containing 2.5% glutaraldehyde/2.0% formaldehyde, with the nerve end facing the bottom of the vial.
  • Cap all vials tightly.

After addition of biopsy specimens, the entire box containing all vials should be prepared for shipment and kept cool with the provided coolant pack.

5. Preparation for Shipment

  • Use one collection kit per muscle or nerve specimen.

  • Complete the requisition form.

  • Label vials with patient name and biopsy site using the provided labels.
  • Insert labeled vials in foam holder, and place in biohazard 95kPA bag. Place sealed bag in foam cooler along with a frozen icepack.
  • Enclose foam cooler and completed requisition in cardboard kit box. Seal box inside of pre-labeled UPS or FedEx return bag.

  • Call Client Services at 800-681-4338 to schedule a pickup.

    Call early to allow sufficient time to complete the pickup in advance of your closing. Drivers commonly need a three-hour pickup window.

  • Include a frozen coolant pack for return shipment to Therapath.

Nerve Biopsy Guide

1. Order a Nerve Biopsy Kit

Please contact us or use our online order form to request biopsy kits.

Therapath can provide testing kits via overnight service or well in advance of the biopsy.

2. Nerve Biopsy Kits

Nerve/Muscle biopsy kits include the following components:

  • Foam insulating container and shipping box

  • Pre-paid shipping label and requisition form

  • Coolant pack (store in a freezer no colder than -20° C)

  • One plastic splint with cutting guides

  • One 3” x 3” gauze pad (for muscle biopsy only)

  • Transport bag holding:

    • Vial 1: Empty vial for fresh, unfixed tissue (for muscle biopsy only)
    • Vial 2: 10% neutral buffered formalin
    • Vial 3: 2.5% glutaraldehyde/2.0% formaldehyde
Muscle Biopsy Vials

Upon receipt, place the coolant pack in the freezer (no colder than -20° C) and store the remainder of the kit at room temperature (22-25° C).

3. Sample Collection

Excise a 3.5 – 4 cm length of peripheral nerve. Lay the nerve in a straight line onto the nerve splint. Do not stretch the nerve and handle gently only by the ends.

4. Sample Preparation

Divide the biopsy, place into vials as follows, and cap all vials tightly. Vial 1 should be discarded.

Peripheral Nerve Biopsy
  1. Tie the nerve to the splint with suture thread at the notches. This is made easier by an assistant holding the splint by with clean forceps.
  2. With a sharp blade and a gentle sawing motion with minimum pressure, cut the nerve as shown.
  3. Using forceps:
  • Place the cut segment into vial 2 (white cap) containing 10% neutral buffered formalin.
  • Place the entire plastic splint with the attached remaining 2.5 cm nerve segment into vial 3 (yellow cap) containing 2.5% glutaraldehyde/2.0% formaldehyde, with the nerve end facing the bottom of the vial.
  • Cap all vials tightly.

After addition of biopsy specimens, the entire box containing all vials should be prepared for shipment and kept cool with the provided coolant pack.

5. Preparation for Shipment

  • Use one collection kit per muscle or nerve specimen.

  • Complete the requisition form.

  • Label vials with patient name and biopsy site using the provided labels.
  • Insert labeled vials in foam holder, and place in biohazard 95kPA bag. Place sealed bag in foam cooler along with a frozen icepack.
  • Enclose foam cooler and completed requisition in cardboard kit box. Seal box inside of pre-labeled UPS or FedEx return bag.

  • Call Client Services at 800-681-4338 to schedule a pickup.

    Call early to allow sufficient time to complete the pickup in advance of your closing. Drivers commonly need a three-hour pickup window.

  • Include a frozen coolant pack for return shipment to Therapath.