New Study Examines Fixative Solutions Used in Skin Biopsy Test for Small Fiber Neuropathy
Cautions that one method may provide incorrect diagnosis
NEW YORK, January 20, 2016 /PRNewsire/ — Therapath LLC, a leader in neuropathology, finalized a comparison study of the most common fixation methods used in Epidermal Nerve Fiber Density (ENFD) testing for the determination of small fiber neuropathy. The study concluded that proper fixation technique is critical for test accuracy.
The study, published in Clinical Neuropathology, compared the results of immune staining on tissue shipped in PLP (2% paraformaldehyde lysine periodate) fixative and Zamboni’s (2% paraformaldehyde, picric acid) solution. The study also looked into the effects of ambient shipping on biopsy specimens shipped in Zamboni’s solution.
The published study can be found in Clinical Neuropathology Volume 35, No. 1/2016 (January/February)
The study reached two significant conclusions:
- PLP and Zamboni’s fixatives can be used interchangeably for fixation of punch skin biopsies and determination of the ENFD when the samples are kept cool during transit.
- Specimens shipped in Zamboni’s solution at ambient temperature presented with a significant reduction of immune staining that could lead to an incorrect diagnosis of small fiber neuropathy.
Therapath currently offers ENFD testing to hospitals, private practices, reference laboratories, and research organizations. Therapath offers a choice of PLP or Zamboni’s fixative and always provides protective shipping coolers and cold packs for transportation. Services are offered worldwide.
About Therapath Neuropathology:
Therapath Neuropathology is a privately held specialized laboratory with six board certified neuropathologists. The company is licensed through CLIA and accredited by the College of American Pathology (CAP).
In addition to testing for small fiber neuropathy, Therapath offers brain and spinal cord autopsy pathology, muscle and nerve biopsy pathology, and ophthalmic pathology.
Contact Information:
Geoffrey Whitehouse
Therapath Neuropathology
800.681.4338
gwhitehouse@therapath.com
Related Articles
Abstract: The Evaluation of Small Fiber Neuropathy
Becky Tsai2022-09-05T17:46:29-05:00
Thawani el al. recently conducted a survey of neurologists regarding their evaluation of patients with small fiber neuropathy. [Read More]
Systematic Review Presents Current Understanding of Small Fiber Neuropathy
Becky Tsai2022-09-05T17:47:23-05:00
The review, published in the May 2016 issue of Muscle & Nerve, provides a comprehensive evaluation of Small Fiber Neuropathy (SFN) research. [Read More]
New Study Examines Fixative Solutions Used in Skin Biopsy Test for Small Fiber Neuropathy
Becky Tsai2022-09-05T17:48:19-05:00
Therapath LLC finalized a comparison study of the most common fixation methods used in Epidermal Nerve Fiber Density testing for the determination of SFN. [Read More]
Therapath Neuropathology Announces National Ophthalmic Pathology Program
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Therapath LLC, a leader in neuropathology laboratory services, launches its national ophthalmic pathology program. [Read More]
New Study Examines Fixative Solutions Used in Skin Biopsy Test for Small Fiber Neuropathy
Cautions that one method may provide incorrect diagnosis
NEW YORK, January 20, 2016 /PRNewsire/ — Therapath LLC, a leader in neuropathology, finalized a comparison study of the most common fixation methods used in Epidermal Nerve Fiber Density (ENFD) testing for the determination of small fiber neuropathy. The study concluded that proper fixation technique is critical for test accuracy.
The study, published in Clinical Neuropathology, compared the results of immune staining on tissue shipped in PLP (2% paraformaldehyde lysine periodate) fixative and Zamboni’s (2% paraformaldehyde, picric acid) solution. The study also looked into the effects of ambient shipping on biopsy specimens shipped in Zamboni’s solution.
The published study can be found in Clinical Neuropathology Volume 35, No. 1/2016 (January/February)
The study reached two significant conclusions:
- PLP and Zamboni’s fixatives can be used interchangeably for fixation of punch skin biopsies and determination of the ENFD when the samples are kept cool during transit.
- Specimens shipped in Zamboni’s solution at ambient temperature presented with a significant reduction of immune staining that could lead to an incorrect diagnosis of small fiber neuropathy.
Therapath currently offers ENFD testing to hospitals, private practices, reference laboratories, and research organizations. Therapath offers a choice of PLP or Zamboni’s fixative and always provides protective shipping coolers and cold packs for transportation. Services are offered worldwide.
About Therapath Neuropathology:
Therapath Neuropathology is a privately held specialized laboratory with six board certified neuropathologists. The company is licensed through CLIA and accredited by the College of American Pathology (CAP).
In addition to testing for small fiber neuropathy, Therapath offers brain and spinal cord autopsy pathology, muscle and nerve biopsy pathology, and ophthalmic pathology.
Contact Information:
Geoffrey Whitehouse
Therapath Neuropathology
800.681.4338
gwhitehouse@therapath.com
Related Articles
Abstract: The Evaluation of Small Fiber Neuropathy
Becky Tsai2022-09-05T17:46:29-05:00
Thawani el al. recently conducted a survey of neurologists regarding their evaluation of patients with small fiber neuropathy. [Read More]
Systematic Review Presents Current Understanding of Small Fiber Neuropathy
Becky Tsai2022-09-05T17:47:23-05:00
The review, published in the May 2016 issue of Muscle & Nerve, provides a comprehensive evaluation of Small Fiber Neuropathy (SFN) research. [Read More]
New Study Examines Fixative Solutions Used in Skin Biopsy Test for Small Fiber Neuropathy
Becky Tsai2022-09-05T17:48:19-05:00
Therapath LLC finalized a comparison study of the most common fixation methods used in Epidermal Nerve Fiber Density testing for the determination of SFN. [Read More]
Therapath Neuropathology Announces National Ophthalmic Pathology Program
Becky Tsai2022-09-05T17:49:10-05:00
Therapath LLC, a leader in neuropathology laboratory services, launches its national ophthalmic pathology program. [Read More]
