This section diagnoses diseases at autopsy and utilizes various techniques including electron microscopy. This laboratory examines tissues at high magnification to detect changes in cell components in the diagnosis of lung, renal and cardiac diseases as well as cancers of various organs. Element analysis by X-ray diffraction of small tissue samples is performed in association with electron microscopy to aid in interpretation. This section is a referral center for diagnosis of malignant tumors of the breast, thyroid, uterus and ovaries, head and neck, lymphatic organs and lung. This laboratory evaluates diagnostic specimens using recent techniques to localize tumor antigens in melanomas, carcinomas and sarcomas, including intermediate filament protein and hormonal markers such as keratin, alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin and calcitonin.
Reagents are available for localization of various infectious agents.
A joint program with the Molecular Flow Cytometry and Cytogenetics Laboratories permits evaluation of lymphoid tissue biopsies. Lymphoid lesions, both nodal and extranodal, are studied extensively by means of immuno-peroxidase staining, flow cytometry and cytogenetics. Director Kevin E. Salhany, MD Metabolic Bone Laboratory Non-neoplastic bone lesions, osteoporosis, and nutritional bone disorders are evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. Molecular Diagnosis Solid tumor evaluation of small round cell tumors and bone and soft tissue sarcomas is offered in order to subclassify these lesions at the genetic level. Director Frederic G. Barr, MD, PhD Renal Pathology Evaluation of kidney and urology diseases, transplant rejection phenomena, and other disorders by means of light microscopic immunofluorescence and electron microscopy.