Neuromuscular Pathology
Neuromuscular Pathology Receiving Hours
Monday – Friday, 7:00 am – 2:00 pm
The Neuromuscular Pathology laboratory has been providing services for over 40 years by experienced technical and professional staff. All specimens are evaluated by a board-certified neuromuscular pathologist to determine the most appropriate tests for each patient, and a final clinical report is issued with the pathologists’ interpretation of the patient’s neuromuscular disease.
Neuromuscular Pathology Contacts and Forms
Contact
Lab Number: 612-873-2175
After Hours Number: 612-873-3001
Fax: 612-904-4240
Please contact our lab to notify us of all incoming biopsies both when the procedure is initially scheduled and again when the specimen is ready to be delivered. Our laboratory staff and pathologists are happy to answer questions about specimen handling and testing. They can be reached via their respective emails or laboratory phone numbers below.
Lab Request Forms / Instructions
Specimen Preparation Instructions (PDF)
Neuromuscular Pathology Request Form (PDF)
Neuromuscular Pathology Services
Muscle Tissue
- Light microscopy
- Enzyme histochemistry
- Immunohistochemistry
- Electron microscopy
Nerve Tissue
- Light microscopy
- Immunohistochemistry
- Electron microscopy
- Nerve teasing
If you are a provider looking to refer a patient to Hennepin Healthcare for a muscle or nerve biopsy, please contact our lab directly at 612-873-2175 or fax the following paperwork to 612-904-4240. The patient will have an initial consultation appointment with the surgeon to determine whether the patient prefers to proceed with the biopsy with local anesthetic in a minor procedure room (most common) or general anesthesia in an OR setting.
Required paperwork for a biopsy referral:
- A completed Neuromuscular Pathology Request Form
- Patient’s insurance/demographics face sheet
- A list of the patient’s current medications and the most recent progress notes, as well ICD codes.
*Please make sure that the referring provider, provider’s contact information, and the specific muscle or nerve that should be biopsied is clearly indicated!
- Oliver K. Ni, MD, Medical Director
612-873-2175, [email protected] - Adam Loavenbruck, MD
612-873-3293, [email protected]
Our neuromuscular pathologists are board-certified in Clinical Neuromuscular Pathology by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties. We evaluate each case thoroughly and strive to incorporate the clinical history, documented exam, serological testing and additional relevant testing with neuromuscular pathology abnormalities to achieve a diagnosis as well as possible differential diagnosis. Additional testing such as immunohistochemistry will be added at the discretion of our neuromuscular pathologists to help increase the yield and specificity of the final interpretation. Personal consultation is available to clinicians to answer questions about the testing process and patient’s results. Detailed instructions for handling muscle and nerve tissue samples as well as proper fixatives can be requested by calling the lab at 612-873-2175. Our Specimen Preparation Instructions are also available for download.
The results of each of these studies are integrated with the clinical presentation to provide a final interpretation of the patient's neuromuscular disease. Specimens received are processed immediately and a preliminary report is available by phone in 3 days. The final report is typically ready within ten days.