[Histonet] Levels and Recuts

[Tom McNemar]

We used to have some confusion over these requests so I defined each and
added it to the bottom of the request sheet.  That way paths and techs would
know exactly what they were requesting and what they were to cut.  I defined
them as follows:

Recut:  1 additional slide, superficial cut
Levels:  multiple slides, step sections deeper into the block
Serial sections:  multple slides, every section on a slide
Exhaust:  multiple slides, multiple levels completely through tissue

We generally cut 3 to 4 levels when requested. When we exhaust a block, the
path generally wants only 6 levels.  We throw out the rest.  We rarely get a
request for serial sections but we have a path that would order "Serial
sections to exhaust".  After a couple of times of receiving 50 or 60 slides,
he quit that.

For alot of our blocks, we cut levels at the time of the original H&E.

Tom McNemar, HT(ASCP)
Histology Co-ordinator
Licking Memorial Hospital
Newark, Ohio  43055 



-----Original Message-----
From: Patricia Karlisch [mailto:pkarlisch <@t> psu.edu]
Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2005 4:08 PM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Levels and Recuts


Hello all,
   Can anyone reference a description for 'levels' vs 'recuts'.  We use
the terms to mean specific procedures in cutting.  Thus, RECUTS are
sections directly off the top of a previously cut block.  Levels are
'recuts'  but at different distances between sections.  Generally, when
we cut levels we toss the unwanted sections out.  In some cases the
unstained are kept. Does anyone in histology consider these to be
'routine' terms and is this defined in any textbook?   
    I appreciate your input on this rather basic question.   
    

Pat Karlisch
Supervisor, Histology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Mail Code H179
Hershey, PA 17033
Phone (717) 531-6072
Fax: (717) 531- 7741
email: pkarlisch <@t> psu.edu

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