[Histonet] human lymph nodes from a cadaver

[Scanlan, Megan Anne]

Hi all,

Does anyone have experience cutting human lymph nodes from a cadaver in paraffin blocks?  I am having quite a lot of trouble getting good sections, even using a brand new blade the sections end up with multiple blade marks streaking through the tissue and paraffin.

I've contacted the researcher that gave me the samples to cut asking about how the cadaver was preserved and what fixatives they used.  I'm thinking that the samples may not have been processed well enough since I've tried all the normal tricks for cutting paraffin's.  There was one sample that seemed to have a calcium deposit or some very hardened tissue, not entirely sure but it nicked up the blade pretty good making sectioning impossible on that one.

I'm not sure if the reason I am having trouble sectioning is because these came from a cadaver or because they are human lymph nodes, it is my first time cutting either of these things.

Any and all advice and opinions are welcomed

Thank you,
     Megan


Megan Scanlan
Research Technician I
Wellman Center for Photomedicine
Massachusetts General Hospital
50 Blossom Street, EDW 214
Boston, MA 02114
617-726-6983 (Lab)
781-635-6626 (Cell
726-1206 (fax)




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