The neuropathology lab examines the morphology and molecular structure of tissue specimens from the peripheral and central nervous systems, the sensory organs and the skeletal muscles. Cerebrospinal fluid samples are also examined.
Neuropathology provides the basis for the morphological and functional correlation between clinical symptoms and presentation and concrete morphological changes in diseases of the nervous system, sensory organs and skeletal muscles. The lab also focuses on diagnostics in the field of ophthalmic pathology.
The range of diagnostic services includes autopsy of the nervous system. Furthermore, we conduct myocardial biopsies for diagnostic purposes. The most up-to-date histological, histochemical, immunohistochemical, enzyme histochemical, ultrastructural and molecular biology test methods are applied.
The pediatric pathology lab processes test samples from children and teenagers up to 18 years old with an emphasis on diseases that affect this particular age group. Infant malformations are examined as are tumors that occur specifically during childhood, especially malignant tumors such as neuroblastomas or nephroblastomas.
In close collaboration with the Division of Paediatric Hematology/Oncology, they are processed and classified according to current guidelines. Frozen sections of biopsies from the gastrointestinal tract of children with digestive issues and growth impairment (e.g., Hirschsprung's disease) are examined using enzyme histochemical methods.
The pediatric pathology lab also processes specimens from pregnancy and the perinatal period such as curettage material from abortions and autopsy material from miscarried and stillborn children.
Another focus is the special processing of placentas from risk or multiple birth pregnancies, which delivers valuable insight into the course of events of pregnancy or birth complications.
The pediatric pathology lab processes kidney biopsies from children and adults. Nephropathological diagnostics is a special field of pathology that few pathologists pursue. Congenital and kidney diseases are diagnosed and classified according to the latest international guidelines using special staining procedures for optical microscopes and immunohistochemical and electron microscopy tests. Interpretation of the results requires correlation with serological, immunological and genetic patient data and close collaboration between the divisions and the Diagnostics and Research Institute of Pathology.
