[Histonet] Shrinkage

[Terri Braud]

LOL...Shrinkage...heh, heh.
But seriously, there should be little to no gross shrinkage from formalin fixation and if the specimen is properly fixed, then there should be very little gross shrinkage as it is dehydrated.  That is supposed to be the point!  If someone is getting 30% shrinkage, there is something seriously wrong with their processing schedule.
Sincerely, Terri
Terri L. Braud, HT(ASCP)
Anatomic Pathology Supervisor

Today's Topics:
   2. formalin and shrinkage (Gudrun Lang)


Message: 2
Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2016 16:59:21 +0100
From: "Gudrun Lang" <gu.lang at gmx.at>
Subject: [Histonet] formalin and shrinkage
Hi!
Today someone asked me about shrinkage caused by the fixation with formaldehyde specially on skin-biopsies.  She spoke about shrinkage of 30% percent. In my opinion shrinkage is mainly caused by the processing with dehydration and defatting. Formaldehyde renders the tissue harder but not strictly smaller. 
What is the opinion of the community?
Gudrun