Dermatopathology Laboratory

The UConn Dermatopathology Laboratory is one of the most trusted sources in the region for diagnosing skin conditions.

What Is a Dermatopathology Laboratory?

A dermatopathology laboratory is a pathology laboratory that performs analysis only on skin and mucous membrane specimens. We provide physicians and their patients with personalized service, sophisticated technology, expert, case-specific consultation, and accurate diagnoses that assist in determining the most appropriate treatment options.

Our special expertise in tumors, especially melanoma and lymphoma, and inflammatory disease is considered a valuable regional resource to our referring physicians.

The UConn Difference

The Dermatopathology Laboratory was initiated in 1980 by Jane M. Grant-Kels, M.D., when she joined UConn Health. Since 1980, the dermatopathology laboratory has grown in the number of interpreted specimens, the number of faculty, the sophistication of technology, and the number of students and residents who rotate through our laboratory. In April of 2009, the Dermatology Department, including our Dermatopathology Laboratory, moved to a new state-of-the-art space.

How Do We Do This?

Because we are not a commercial laboratory, the UConn Dermatopathology Laboratory can deliver personalized service and sophisticated technology and can offer referring physicians the ability to have difficult patients consult with one of our dermatologists or presented at our monthly grand rounds. Every complex case is leveled, special stained if needed, and studied at a conference held daily at our multiheaded microscope in order to elicit several, comprehensive opinions.

Daily cases are also used to help educate the next generation of physicians. We have medical students and medical, family practice, pediatric, and pathology residents rotate through our laboratory to learn more about dermatology. In addition, we have a dermatology residency for which we have organized a complete dermatopathology curriculum that is arranged in concert with clinical and textbook review for residents to learn about skin diseases and gain a better understanding of how to treat patients.

Our Services

  • Immunohistochemical staining
  • Direct immunofluorescence testing
  • Special stains for microorganisms
  • Evaluation of nails for melanocytic and mycological disorders
  • Microscopic examination of plucked or clipped hair
  • Histologic evaluation of alopecia
  • Microsatellite instability testing by immunostaining Muir-Torre and Lynch syndromes (colorectal and endometrial carcinomas)
  • Consultation and report on referred slides prepared elsewhere
  • Consultation on referred difficult melanocytic tumors
  • Review of complex cases by a group of dermatopathologists
  • Referral of specimens for diagnostic consultations
  • Clinicopathologic correlation
  • 24 to 48 hour report turnaround time
  • Autofaxing of reports

How to Reach Us

Toll Free: 1-888-379-2790
Phone: 860-679-3474
Billing Office: 860-679-2689

Hours
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Office Location
Dermatopathology Laboratory
Department of Dermatology
UConn Health
21 South Road, 1st Floor
Farmington, CT 06030-6230
Directions

Mailing Address
Dermatopathology Laboratory
Department of Dermatology
UConn Health
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06030-6230

Supply Ordering

To order supplies, please fill out the Supply Order Form and fax it to 860-679-1267.

Lab Requisition Form

Request for Slides/Reports

Courier Pick-up Service

If you request courier service on an “as needed” basis, you will need to schedule the courier pickup. You can do this by calling Lab Logistics at 855-522-5644, option 1. They will need our account number, which is 41539. You will need to tell them you are scheduling a pickup, when the package will be ready for pick-up, and the latest time Lab Logistics can pick up the package.

Lab Logistics will be dropping off courier bags and bills of lading within the week. Package the biopsy specimens and completed patient information sheets in the biohazard bags we have provided, place the containers in the UConn bag, and affix a bill of lading to the bag. You will only need to use one bill of lading for each pickup, not one for each bag.

For the offices that request regular pick-ups from Lab Logistics, package the specimens as noted above. You will not need to call for a courier pick-up, as it has already been scheduled with Lab Logistics.

For the offices that have requested courier pick-up boxes, just place the courier bag in the pick-up box when you close the office.

If you have any questions, comments or problems with your new courier service, please do not hesitate to call us.

Contact

To schedule a courier pick-up, please call Lab Logistics at 855-522-5644, option 1.