Special Stain, Urate Crystals
Also known as: URATE SS
Use
This is a histochemical stain performed as a technical ‘stain and return’ service to detect urate crystals in tissue specimens. The presence of black-staining urate crystals may aid in diagnosing conditions such as gouty tophi. This stain preserves tissue architecture while avoiding aqueous fixation to prevent loss of urate crystals.
Special Instructions
Submit with Anatomic Pathology Test Request Form (ARUP form #32960) or electronic request. Use ARUP tissue transport kit (#47808) for paraffin blocks or positively charged unstained slides. Protect from excessive heat. Histology special stains submission details are provided, and for technical support contact ARUP Client Services at 800‑522‑2787.
Limitations
Any aqueous fixed or processed tissue is unacceptable because aqueous solutions dissolve urate crystals. Specimens must be representative tissue; depleted specimens or those with nonrepresentative tissue types are unacceptable.
New York Approved
Methodology
Other
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 10828-2
Result Turnaround Time
1-5 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Tissue (Fixed (Non-FFPE))
Volume
Not provided
Minimum Volume
1 slide
Container
Tissue transport kit (ARUP supply #47808)
Collection Instructions
Transport tissue block or 2 unstained (3- to 5-micron thick) positively charged slides
Storage Instructions
Room temperature or refrigerated; ship in cooled container during summer months
Causes for Rejection
Nonrepresentative tissue type; aqueous‐fixed or processed tissue; depleted specimens
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | Indefinitely |
| Refrigerated | Indefinitely |
| Frozen | Unacceptable |