Biopsy specimen identification by detection of sex chromosomes: application of in situ hybridisation.

AIMS

To investigate the feasibility of non-radioactive in situ hybridisation (ISH) for the identification of sex-mismatched plastic embedded bone marrow biopsy specimens.

METHODS

After a suspected accidental transposition of two glycol-methacrylate embedded bone marrow specimens, in situ hybridisation with sex chromosome specific probes was performed.

RESULTS

Quantitative analysis of the hybridisation signals established unequivocably the origin of the specimens.

CONCLUSIONS

ISH is feasible on GMA embedded bone marrow specimens, and can be used for the identification of accidentally transposed specimens provided that they are of sex-matched origin.