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Test Code BHISC Bone Histomorphometry, Gross Microscopic Exam


Shipping Instructions


It is preferred that the specimen is shipped in 70% ethanol because it preserves the tetracycline label in the bone.



Necessary Information


Bone Histomorphometry: Patient Information (T352) must be completed and sent with the specimen. The laboratory requires this information in order to perform testing.



Specimen Required


Supplies: Metal Free Specimen Vial (T173)

Specimen Type: Bone

Preferred: Anterior iliac crest

Container/Tube: Metal-free specimen vial

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen

Collection Instructions:

1. Fix specimen in 70% ethanol.

2. Quantitation of bone turnover requires 2 time-spaced tetracycline labels.

3. The use of metal-free containers is required to avoid aluminum or iron contamination.

4. For complete instructions see Bone Histomorphometry Specimen Preparation (T579).

Additional Information: Consultation with a Mayo Clinic Laboratories pathologist or endocrinologist/nephrologist is recommended for first-time users of this service. Written instructions are available upon request.


Useful For

Undetermined metabolic bone disease in wet tissue specimens

 

Renal osteodystrophy

 

Osteomalacia

 

Osteoporosis

 

Paget disease

 

Assessing effects of therapy

 

Identification of some disorders of the hematopoietic system

 

Aluminum toxicity

 

Presence of iron in the bone

Reflex Tests

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
SS2PC SpecStain, Grp II, other No, (Bill Only) No

Testing Algorithm

Hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides are sent to pathology for review. Iron staining or aluminum staining may be performed at an additional charge.

Method Name

Histomorphometry

Reporting Name

Bone HistoMorph Gross Micro Exam

Specimen Type

Varies

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Varies Ambient (preferred)
  Refrigerated 

Reject Due To

Fixatives other than 70% alcohol
Decalcified bone
Reject

Clinical Information

Bone histomorphometry is a very sophisticated procedure utilizing full-thickness bone biopsy.

 

Techniques such as 2-time interval labeling with tetracycline permit the direct measurement of the rate of bone formation. The information derived is useful in the diagnosis of metabolic bone diseases, including renal osteodystrophy, osteomalacia, and osteoporosis, and other disorders, such as aluminum toxicity and iron abnormalities.

Reference Values

A quantitative and interpretive report will be provided.

Interpretation

Computer-generated histomorphometric values are given for adequate specimens.

 

Normal histomorphometric values for iliac crest are provided.

 

An interpretive report will be provided.

Cautions

Mineralization or bone formation rates can be done only when tetracycline has been administered on a specific schedule prior to biopsy.

 

Biopsy site of preference is iliac crest.

 

Dairy products should not be ingested at the same time as the tetracycline because they interfere with tetracycline uptake.

Method Description

Intact (nonfragmented) specimens of undecalcified bone are dehydrated in ethanol, embedded in methylmethacrylate, sectioned at 5-micron thickness, and individual sections are stained with Goldner Trichrome, toluidine blue, and hematoxylin and eosin. Special stains for acid phosphatase, aluminum, and iron are performed when indicated. Histomorphometry, by computerized technique, is then done on the stained sections using light microscopy and on unstained sections using fluorescence microscopy. Histomorphometric values and the histologic appearance of all sections are reviewed and interpreted by a clinician-histomorphometrist. A hematoxylin and eosin-stained section is reviewed for abnormalities by a pathologist. Telephone consultations with responsible physicians are carried out whenever possible.(Hodgson SF, Johnson KA, Muhs JM, Lufkin EG, McCarthy JT. Outpatient percutaneous biopsy of the iliac crest: methods, morbidity, and patient acceptance. Mayo Clin Proc. 1986;61[1]:28-33)

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

26 to 35 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

88346

88307

88313

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
BHISC Bone HistoMorph Gross Micro Exam 60570-9

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
71158 Interpretation 59465-5
71159 Bone Marrow Interpretation 51628-6
71160 Participated in the Interpretation No LOINC Needed
71161 Report electronically signed by 19139-5
71162 Material Received 22633-2
71786 Case Number 80398-1
601908 Disclaimer 62364-5

Specimen Minimum Volume

5 mm bone

Specimen Retention Time

Not retained