Rapid Processing of Renal Allograft Biopsies: Conventional and Microwave

Renal allograft recipients can experience episodes of graft dysfunction any time after transplantation, and renal biopsies are the gold standard tool in diagnosing the cause of graft dysfunction. Conventional tissue processing protocol followed by most laboratories is time-consuming and causes a delay in diagnosis. Microwave tissue processing generates rapid oscillation of water molecules and uniform heating of tissues, thereby increasing tissue penetration and reducing tissue processing time considerably (1.38 h). We can also perform short program processing protocol in conventional tissue processor (2.17 h). Both these techniques can considerably reduce the turnaround time from receiving a biopsy sample in laboratory to communication of diagnosis and help in reducing patient’s anxiety and timely initiation of optimal therapy by transplant physician.