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.