Jeanne Clark, Histology/IHC, Stanford Hospital and Clinics asks: >>In looking through old procedures, I have found several different 'solutions' >>that have been used for fixation and decalcification of bone (particularly >>bone marrow cores). I would very much appreciate hearing what people are >>using today for optimal fixation and decalcification of bone for routine >>pathology and IHC testing.<<
I don't think that any of the present fixatives are significantly better for bone marrow (and other surgical bone) than neutral buffered formalin, and the ordinary commercial decalcifiers suffice. More important is meticulous technique. Specimens must be adequately fixed, and that often means overnight fixation before decalcifying; do not use mixtures that combine fixative and decalcifier. Large clots must be cut into thin slices so that they fix promptly. Femoral heads and the like need to be slabbed with a saw, and the slab fixed overnight. Decalcification must not be prolonged. Constant feedback among histotechnologist, pathologist, oncologist, and the person assisting the oncologist is essential, though rarely achieved. Of course, if the oncologist has given you crappy material to start out with, then none of this is going to help! Bob Richmond Samurai Pathologist Knoxville TN _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
