[Histonet] RINSING IN TAP WATER AFTER DECAL

[Gayle Callis]

We rinse according to size of the bone,  A bone biopsy will not take long, 
maybe 15 minutes or so, larger bones anywhere from 30 min to a few hours. 
Long rinsing can swell tissues (overnight).  RDO contains a high HCl 
concentration.  One of bad things about not rinsing is the first stations in 
processing cycle are contaminated with decalcifier, altering pH.  If you run 
a huge number of RDO decalcified samples, this could be a problem.  HCL + 
formalin will form a toxic, carcingenic compound (Carson, JOH publication).

I know people who simply rinsed a needle biopsy off with tap water and some 
don't bother, just put in processor without problems.  CAL-X is a formic 
acid solution and is compatible with formalin.

I am a proponent of rinsing and do so for all decalcifying solutions based 
on size of bone.

Gayle M. Callis
HTL/HT/MT(ASCP)
Bozeman MT 59715


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rena Fail" <renafail <@t> bellsouth.net>
To: "'Fischer, R. B'" <BFicher <@t> chomp.org>; 
<histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2008 11:37 AM
Subject: RE: [Histonet] RINSING IN TAP WATER AFTER DECAL


> The rinse step is necessary between formalin and RDO, the two chemicals
> should not be combined
> Rena
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Fischer,
> R. B
> Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2008 12:22 PM
> To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Cc: Delcambre, Linda V
> Subject: [Histonet] RINSING IN TAP WATER AFTER DECAL
>
> We have been using "RDO" and "CAL-X" decal solutions for some time now.
> After the specified times in the decal solutions, the specimens are
> rinsed in running tap water for about 10 minutes before being placed
> back in 10%NBF for routine processing. We were rinsing to get rid of the
> nitric acid. My questions are (1) Is this rinse step necessary? If it
> is, (2) How long is an adequate time for rinsing?(3) How are other labs
> handling the specimen post decal, and before processing?
>
>
>
> R.Brian Fischer
> Histology Lead Tech
> Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula
> PO Box HH Monterey Ca. 93942
> 831-625-4791
> Fax: 831-6583683