Hematopathology/Flow Cytometry

SLUCare Physician Group hematopathologists provide a broad range of diagnostic services, including specialized techniques available through the laboratory at Saint Louis University. We use state-of-the art equipment and extensive antibody resources to offer comprehensive testing and excellence in diagnosis.

As the first hematopathological service in the St. Louis area and an academic-based hematopathology service, our diagnostics are based on a continuous review of published reports about the latest clinical technologies.

Tests Offered

Flow Cytometry: the Flow Cytometry Laboratory maintains an extensive panel of monoclonal antibodies.

The service uses advanced Kaluza Software, as well as state-of-the-art Beckman Coulter Navios EX Flow Cytometers for sample processing. Studies can be performed on peripheral blood, bone marrow, body fluids, fine needle aspirates or fresh tissue. A smear, cytospin or touch preparation is made of each specimen to confirm a suitable specimen and to tailor a specific antibody panel. A preliminary clinical diagnosis is required on the requisition form.

Immunohistochemistry: Immunoperoxidase and in situ hybridization stains are available for immunophenotyping of lymphoproliferative processes.

Samples

Samples should be delivered from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Send to:

For weekend or holiday emergent cases, please call the laboratory at 314-617-2832 for recorded instructions to contact the on-call hematopathologist. For further information, call the laboratory at 314-617-2832.

Reporting

Verbal reports for critical results are provided as soon as results are available. Written reports are generally issued within 24 to 48 hours of specimen receipt.

Specimen Requirements

Blood samples should be drawn in green-top sodium heparin or purple-top EDTA tubes, kept at room temperature and sent as soon as possible (ideally within 18 hours).

Bone marrow should be drawn in a heparinized syringe, placed in a green-top sodium heparin or purple-top EDTA tube, kept at room temperature and also sent within 18 hours. Preferred specimen volume is at least 2 ml.

Body fluids should be drawn in sodium heparin tubes and sent at room temperature.

Fresh tissue (at least 0.5 cm) should be kept cold, but not frozen, in a sterile container with RPMI and transported within two hours. Please call for information on RPMI if needed. Flow cytometry cannot be performed on frozen or fixed (evenly briefly) tissue.