[Histonet] time in paraffin and fried bloody specimen

[DKBoyd <@t> chs.net]

Nancy,
Tissue should be processed @ between 60-62 degrees centigrade.  We have 
three paraffin baths.  The 1st bath is set for 45 mins, the 2cd and 3rd 
are for 1 hour each.  This is for large specimens.  Small specimens are 
for 30 mins. the first two baths and 45 mins for the last.  It is very 
true that too much time in paraffin causes hard tissue.  Remember the 
whole time the tissue is setting in paraffin it is being exposed to heat.
Your second question:  Have the specimen transferred from the lens paper 
it arrived in and put on a new piece which has been moistened with 
formalin.  Sometimes in surgery the lens paper is wet with saline. 
If it is a scant amount process with your Endoscopic biopsies. Too long in 
your alcohols will over dehydrate the specimen.
Hope this helps.


Debbie M. Boyd, HT(ASCP) I Chief Histologist I Southside Regional Medical 
Center I 
200 Medical Park Boulevard I Petersburg, Va.  23805 I T: 804-765-5050 I F: 
804-765-5582 I dkboyd <@t> chs.net







Nancy Schmitt <nancy_schmitt <@t> pa-ucl.com> 
Sent by: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
10/05/2009 11:07 AM

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Subject
[Histonet] time in paraffin and fried bloody specimen






Good Morning Histonetters-

First question:  Textbook says "tissue should remain in paraffin the 
shortest time necessary for good infiltration because exposure to 
prolonged heat causes shrinkage and hardening".  Can anyone define 
"exposure to prolonged heat"?  Is that an hour? Three hours?  Sitting in 
the paraffin waiting to be drained.  I would appreciate some insight on 
this.
Second question:  Endom, POC tissue, even some sinus contents arrive 
wrapped in lens paper.  These bloody specimens are fried (for lack of a 
better word) and almost impossible to separate from the lens paper.  Is 
there something different we or the PA can be doing differently or just 
the nature of the tissue.

Thanks for your help!
Nancy



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