Needle Core Biopsy Handling and Processing: Best Practices for Histology (Online CE Course)

Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours (acceptable for AMT, ASCP, and state recertification): 1 hour(s) Approved through 1/31/2028

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel Credit Hours - General (Histology): 1 hour(s) Approved through 1/31/2028

Objectives

• Describe the complete workflow of a needle core biopsy specimen from receipt in the lab through slide delivery to the pathologist.
• Apply best practices for fixation, processing, and embedding of needle core biopsies to promote tissue conservation and diagnostic quality.
• Perform microtomy on needle core blocks using conservative facing, appropriate level selection, and careful section collection techniques.
• Identify common pitfalls in handling needle core biopsies and implement strategies to prevent them.

Course Outline

• Introduction
• Introduction to Needle Core Biopsy Specimens
• Needle Core Biopsies
• Which situation most appropriately indicates the need for a needle core biopsy?
• What is the primary reason physicians perform a needle core biopsy instead of relying only on imaging studies?
• Needle Core Biopsy: Locations and Technical Details
• Which body site is commonly sampled using a needle core biopsy technique?
• A 14‑gauge core needle has which characteristic compared with an 18‑gauge needle?
• Patient Perspective: Preparation for Needle Core Biopsy
• Patient Perspective: During and After Needle Core Biopsy
• Which post‑biopsy symptom should prompt patients to contact their healthcare provider?
• Why is it important for histotechnologists to be aware of what patients experience before, during, and after a needle core biopsy?
• Pathology Laboratory Handling of Needle Core Biopsies
• Laboratory Handling of Needle Core Biopsies
• What is the main purpose of accessioning a needle core biopsy specimen when it arrives in the laboratory?
• Needle Core Fixation
• Needle Core Biopsy Fixation and Processing
• Enhancing Tissue Visibility with Eosin During Processing
• For most needle core biopsies less than 1.5 mm in diameter, what is a commonly accepted fixation time in 10% neutral buffered formalin at room tempera...
• Why are needle core biopsies typically processed on specialized biopsy runs?
• Embedding Needle Cores
• Embedding Needle Core Biopsies
• Embedding Considerations
• Embedding Technique
• Why is it recommended to open and handle only one cassette at a time when embedding needle core biopsies?
• Why should all fragments from a cassette be kept on the same cutting plane in the paraffin block?
• Needle Core Microtomy
• Microtomy of Needle Core Biopsies
• Before Cutting into a Needle Core Block
• Microtomy
• Section Collection
• Why is conservative facing especially important when sectioning needle core biopsy blocks?
• Why is soaking needle core blocks in ice water before cutting levels recommended?
• Needle Core Staining
• Handling and Preparation of Needle Core Sections for Staining
• Additional Testing and Special Stains for Needle Core Biopsies
• Why are positively charged slides recommended for needle core biopsy sections?
• What is the main reason to minimize water under the tissue sections before drying and staining?
• When collecting sections for ancillary studies, what is a recommended practice for needle core biopsies?
• Recutting Needle Cores
• Best Practices for Recutting Needle Core Biopsy Blocks
• Which practice should be avoided when recutting a needle core biopsy block?
• Consequences of Cutting Through a Needle Core Biopsy
• Consequences of Cutting Through a Needle Core Biopsy
• Repeated non‑diagnostic needle core biopsy cases due to processing or microtomy errors can have what impact on the laboratory?
• Summary
• Needle Core Summary
• References
• References

Additional Information