Ordering Guidance

This test is only for a dermatopathology wet tissue consultation. For a dermatologic consultation on paraffin embedded tissue and slides, order PATHC / Pathology Consultation.

Shipping Instructions

Attach the green "Attention Pathology" address label (T498) to the outside of the transport container before putting into the courier mailer.

Necessary Information

All requisition and supporting information must be submitted in English.

Each of the following items is required:

1. All requisitions must be labeled with:

-Patient name, date of birth and medical record number

-Name and phone number of the referring pathologist or ordering physician

-Anatomic site and collection date

2. A brief patient history is essential to achieve a consultation fully relevant to the ordering clinician’s needs.

3. Preliminary diagnosis or differential diagnosis

4. Clinical and/or dermoscopic images should be included if available. Submit with the request via Epic Care Everywhere, Mayo Clinic Image Share, or external storage device.

Specimen Required

Supplies: Dermatopathology Media (T101)

Sources: Skin or oral mucosa

Container/Tube: Screw-capped container or vial containing 10% formalin

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen

Collection Instructions: For scalp biopsies: when the differential diagnosis includes a scarring alopecia, 2 separate 4-mm punch biopsies are recommended (1 for vertical and 1 for horizontal sections). If a single scalp biopsy is received with the clinical diagnosis of a scarring alopecia, the specimen will be processed with horizontal sections.

Additional Information: STAT requests are not accepted for this test.