[Histonet] burn artifact

[Bill Sinai]

Michelle,

Describe burn artefact!

We had a problem with endometrial curettings but only from one clinician.
The glands of the mucosa appeared to be "burnt" with amorphous nuclear
staining and some eosinophilia only in the mucosa.  We tried fresh fixative,
a new batch of fixative even a new supplier, all to no avail.  All other
specimens were fixed well with no artefact seen in any of the fixatives.
The processing of all other materials appeared OK when together in the
processor.  One of our pathologists discussed the problem with the clinician
and it turned out he would scape several times on to dry gauze then place
the gauze and specimen into fixative.  When we asked him to scape onto
saline dampened gauze the problem all but disappeared.  We concluded that it
must have been a drying artefact.  We still get some pieces showing this
phenomenon but much less often.

All the best from down under.
Bill Sinai
Laboratory Manager
Tissue Pathology, ICPMR
Westmead NSW 2145
Australia
Ph 02 9845 7774


-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu]On Behalf Of MICHELE M
Sent: Thursday, 17 June 2004 8:28 AM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] burn artifact


Hi All,

One of our Pathologists is complaining about a "burn artifact" on his GYN
slides. We lowered the temp of our paraffin baths to 58 degrees in hopes
that they would look better, but he still is seeing this artifact. We
process the tissues for about 5 hours total.  Anyone have any ideas about
what may be causing this?

Thanks,

Michele



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