[Histonet] prostate needle biopsies

[Karen Percival]

Brian,

There is no standard protocol for how many microns  there should be
between levels because, as you say, each block is different.  What we
did in our lab, when I was working in a clinical pathology lab, was to
save the tissue between levels and use that for IHC requests.  On rare
occaisions, we would decolorize an H&E level and use that for IHC or a
special stain.  We started putting all three levels on the same slide
after a time in order to reduce costs.  We did not embed with a tamper
because the tissue cores were so delicate.  We also soaked our blocks on
a cold plate with a little detergent (Joy dishwasing soap) in water. 
The blocks cut great, no wrinkles and no recut requests for additional
H&E's due to poor quality.  All of our techs did this and we had
consistent and high-quality results.

Karen

Karen Percival
Research Scientist I
Wyeth Research
1 Burtt Road
G3025
Andover, MA 01810
888-577-1500 x 4058
kpercival @wyeth.com

>>> "Brian D. Conlon" <conlonb <@t> comcast.net> 5/11/2005 5:37:57 PM >>>
hi everyone,    our lab has a question about prostate needle biopsies.
the pa's submit two cores per block and we embed them with a tamper so
they are on the same level. we do three levels on each block. is there a
protocol as to how many microns should be between each level? sometimes
the tissue is so thin that there is nothing left in the block for recuts
or ihc. we would like to have each tech cut with the same method so that
there will be greater consistency. thanks so much everybody.     paula
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