1. Please call in advance so that coordinating arrangements can be made for receiving of specimens. Contact the Histology laboratory at (501) 686-6539.

2. Fresh muscle biopsy specimens should not be immersed in saline or frozen. Promptly place fresh, non¬frozen specimen on a dampened sponge in a sterile container, and place this container in a second container with ice (not dry ice). We have found that an 8-inch square styrofoam container contains adequate ice for shipping. The specimen should remain damp (not soaked) and cool (not frozen). Label the container with patient's name.

3. Nerve biopsy specimens may be submitted in fixative (either buffered glutaraldehyde or buffered formalin) unless immunofluorescence studies are desired (i.e., for immunoglobulin depositions). In the latter case, the nerve should be submitted fresh as described above for muscle biopsies, and the tests desired clearly indicated. Please submit the nerve whole: do not section it.

4. Submit the specimen with the following information:

a. Anatomic site of muscle or nerve biopsy
b. Name and date of birth of patient
c. Clinical history or differential diagnosis
d. List of all physicians desiring a copy of the report, with FAX numbers if available.

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5. Ship by courier or by overnight express to: