Dermatopathology Services

A microscope looking at a skin tissue slide.

OHSU Dermatopathology provides expert dermatopathology services to support dermatologists, family practitioners, pathologists, obstetricians/gynecologists, plastic surgeons, and many other physicians with expert, accurate and efficient diagnosis of skin-related conditions and diseases. 

With the opening of our full service histopathology lab in 2011, we now provide tissue processing, slide preparation and diagnostic interpretations. In addition to routine and stat service for H & E and special stains, we provide direct immunofluorescence staining and interpretation (view full testing menu), and PCR testing for nail fungal ID (dermatophyte, dermatomycosis), and HPV Subtyping (high and low risk HPV genotyping).

We provide results within 24 hours for most biopsies, offer scheduled and stat courier service in the Portland area, and provide no-cost FedEx services for our out of town clients.

When you choose OHSU for your patients’ diagnoses, you choose peace of mind. You can rely on OHSU dermatopathologists to provide accurate diagnosis, the first time. Dermatopathology director, Kevin White, M.D., along with Stephanie Mengden-Koon, M.D., and Angela J. Jiang, M.D., are board certified and fellowship trained internationally-recognized expert dermatopathologists.

Our providers and staff understand that time is of the essence in patient care and strive to produce expert results as efficiently as possible. With our in-house, state-of-the-art histopathology lab, we are able to reliably return a diagnosis to you within 24 hours of our receipt of the tissue for routine cases.

Send us a case

If you have a specimen that you would like to send to us for original diagnosis, please call us at 503-494-5245 to establish service. We offer routine and stat pick-up service within the entire Portland Metro and select surrounding areas and offer complimentary FedEx service for those outside of our courier area. We also provide all of the supplies you will need for sending samples. A completed requisition form, containing all necessary information, must accompany all biopsies.

Your results

Our expert diagnosis is documented in a customized and thorough report that will be delivered to you by fax, in most cases within minutes of completion. Reports can also be sent by mail or accessed online through EpicCare Link.

Result Interfacing:  We offer interfaced results with a variety of electronic health record vendors. To inquire about result interface options please contact us at 503-494-5245 and ask for the Lab Manager or email us at dermpathorders@ohsu.edu.

EpicCare Link

If you refer patients to OHSU you can get easy, online access to your patient’s medical record. With EpicCare Link, you’ll have secure, HIPAA-compliant, web-based access to OHSU’s electronic medical record - EPIC. Through EpicCare Link, you’ll have real-time access to:

  • Lab results, imaging reports, progress notes, discharges summaries, and other medical documentation
  • E-mail notification of select patient activity (e.g., ED visits, abnormal lab results, admissions)
  • Secure messaging with OHSU medical staff

EpicCare Link is available to all referring providers and their staff.

To learn more, visit the EpicCare Link page.

Insurance/billing

OHSU contracts with almost all carriers, resulting in reduced out-of-pocket expenses for your patients.

Our expert dermatopathologists provide peace of mind to hundreds of dermatologists, family practitioners, pathologists, obstetricians/gynecologists, plastic surgeons, and many other physicians with expert, accurate and reliable consultation or second opinions on complex diagnosis of skin-related conditions and diseases.

Steps to send us a slide

If you would like to have our knowledgeable dermatopathologists review a slide, please call us at 503-494-5245 to establish service. We offer routine and stat pick-up service within the entire Portland Metro and selected surrounding areas and offer complimentary FedEx service for those outside of our courier area. Please send the slide, original diagnosis report, and any other information available along with a completed requisition form.

Your results

Our expert diagnosis is documented in a customized and thorough report that will be delivered to you by fax, in most cases within minutes of completion. Reports can also be sent by mail or accessed online through EpicCare Link.

Result Interfacing:  We offer interfaced results with a variety of electronic health record vendors. To inquire about result interface options please contact us at 503-494-5245 and ask for the Lab Manager or email us at dermpathorders@ohsu.edu.

EpicCare Link

If you refer patients to OHSU you can get easy, online access to your patient’s medical record. With EpicCare Link, you’ll have secure, HIPAA-compliant, web-based access to OHSU’s electronic medical record - EPIC. Through EpicCare Link, you’ll have real-time access to:

  • Lab results, imaging reports, progress notes, discharges summaries, and other medical documentation
  • E-mail notification of select patient activity (e.g., ED visits, abnormal lab results, admissions)
  • Secure messaging with OHSU medical staff

EpicCare Link is available to all referring providers and their staff.

To learn more, visit the EpicCare Link page.

Insurance/billing

OHSU contracts with almost all carriers, resulting in reduced out-of-pocket expenses for your patients.

In 2011, OHSU Dermatology built a state-of-the-art histopathology laboratory, designed from the ground up specifically for dermatopathology services. Our laboratory enhances the expert diagnostic services that we have provided since 1979 by giving us the ability to produce a customized lab product specific to skin diagnoses. In addition, having an in-house laboratory has allowed us to decrease the time for results - now on average 18-24 hours for routine cases.

Our laboratory technicians have worked with our dermatopathologists to utilize customized methods and procedures to meet the specific requirements requested by our board certified physicians so we can ensure the highest quality product is produced every time.

Whether you choose to read and diagnose your tissue samples, or have our dermatopathologists read and report their diagnosis, our slide preparation quality is a priority. In addition to Hemotoxylin and Eosin (H & E) staining, we also offer a broad range of special stains and immunohistochemistry. Click here to view our full dermatopathology testing menu.

Steps to utilize our laboratory services

If you would like to send us a specimen for slide preparation or for original diagnosis, please call us at 503-494-5245 to establish service. We offer routine and stat pick-up service within the entire Portland Metro and selected surrounding areas and offer complimentary FedEx service for those outside of our courier area. We also provide all of the supplies you will need for sending samples. A completed requisition form is needed and includes the referring physician’s name, phone and fax number, the patient demographics and insurance information and the date and site of the biopsy, including clinical context.

Your results

Our expert diagnosis is documented in a customized and thorough report that will be delivered to you by fax, in most cases within minutes of completion. Reports can also be sent by mail or accessed online through EpicCare Link.

Result Interfacing:  We offer interfaced results with a variety of electronic health record vendors. To inquire about result interface options please contact us at 503-494-5245 and ask for the Lab Manager or email us at dermpathorders@ohsu.edu.

EpicCare Link

If you refer patients to OHSU you can get easy, online access to your patient’s medical record. With EpicCare Link, you’ll have secure, HIPAA-compliant, web-based access to OHSU’s electronic medical record - EPIC. Through EpicCare Link, you’ll have real-time access to: 

  • Lab results, imaging reports, progress notes, discharges summaries, and other medical documentation 
  • E-mail notification of select patient activity (e.g., ED visits, abnormal lab results, admissions)  
  • Secure messaging with OHSU medical staff 

EpicCare Link is available to all referring providers and their staff.

To learn more, visit the EpicCare Link page.

Immunofluorescence testing

Our team provides direct immunofluorescence testing. For more information, please read the Immunofluorescence Testing tab.

PCR testing:  Providing next gen sequencing using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of dermatomycosis and genotyping of high and low risk HPV subtypes. For more information, please read the PCR Testing tab.

Insurance/billing

OHSU contracts with almost all carriers, resulting in reduced out-of-pocket expenses for your patients.

Our team provides direct immunofluorescence (DIF) testing. The direct IF panel consists of IgG, IgA, IgM, Complement Component 3 (C3), Fibrinogen.

Skin or mucosal specimens for testing must be sent in Michel's Transport Medium and accompanied by a requisition form. Both the form and the transport medium will be provided at no cost. Please send specimens to:

OHSU Dermatopathology

Center for Health and Healing 1, 5th floor,

Mailcode CH5D,

3303 S Bond Ave

Portland, OR  97239

For more information or to start immunofluorescence referral services, contact the OHSU Dermatopathology Department at 503-494-5245 or at dermpath@ohsu.edu .

  • HPV High and Low Risk Subtyping (HPV Genotyping by PCR)
    • Method: HPV DNA Tissue Testing is performed on FFPE tissue. It uses multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microarray hybridization for qualitative detection of 30 genotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV). Genotypes detected by assay include low risk types 6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 61, 70, 72, 81, 89 and high risk types 16, 18, 26, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 53, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68, 73, 82.
    • Specimen Requirement: FFPE solid tumor tissue: Paraffin block is preferred. Alternatively, send 3x 10 micron scrolls in PCR ready sterile centrifuge tube (use gloves, sterile forceps, clean new blade, clean microtome stage with DNA away followed by 100% alcohol before sectioning scrolls). Do not use zinc fixatives for your FFPE sample processing.
    • Storage and Transportation: Use cold pack for transport, making sure cold pack is not in direct contact with specimen.
    • Test Code (Internal Use): LAB104007
    • CPT Code(s): 87624

  • Dermatomycosis/ Dermatophytes (Nail Fungal ID by PCR)
    • Method: DNA Tissue Testing is performed on nail, skin, hair, and FFPE tissue. It uses multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microarray hybridization for qualitative detection of 50 dermatophyte species. Additionally, the species of 23 dermatophytes, 3 yeast, 3 molds, can be detected and identified. The assay is able to identify some terbinafine resistance dermatophytes that include: T. interdigitale, T. mentagrophytes, and T. rubrum.
    • Specimen Requirement: Testing can be performed on nail, hair, skin scrapings, and FFPE. Remove any nail varnish that may be present on nail before collection. Clean area (nail, skin, and hair site locations) with 70% ethanol and let dry before to minimize chance of false positive environmental flora. Use sterile collection tools (scalpel, curette, tweezers, ect) to plane off and collect sample. Hair samples should include hair stub and if possible skin scales from same area. For skin scrapings, please collect as much as possible and try to collect some scrapings (skin scales) from transition line of healthy skin to mycotic skin.  Place sample in sterile jar, do not put any liquid or medium in jar.
    • Storage and Transportation: Sterile specimen container ambient temperature. For FFPE use cold pack for transport.
    • Test Code (Internal Use): LAB104006
    • CPT Code(s): 87481, 87798

Our providers