A biopsy may be defined as a portion of tissue removed from the living body for further examination. With the increasing sophistication of clinical imaging and sampling devices there are few organs in the human body that cannot be biopsied. Tissue obtained at operation is particularly precious as the sampling procedure may not be repeatable. Ideally these specimens should be discussed with the laboratory prior to sampling to ensure that transport and processing are timely and appropriate tests are performed.
PLEASE NOTE: Samples and accompanying relevant patient/ isolate data maybe referred for confirmatory or further laboratory testing to Reference laboratories. Relevant Public Health departments may also be notified IF a notifiable disease is identified under the Infectious Diseases Regulations https://www.hpsc.ie/notifiablediseases/listofnotifiablediseases/
