[Histonet] RE: Cell Button Prep

[Beth Cox]

Hi Karen,

It is generally recommended that you spin down your fluid, decant, and then
add the fixative and re-spin.  Using a 1/2 fluid and 1/2 fixative method
gives you a weak solution for fixation.  Whether you use 95% alcohol (ethyl
or reagent) or 10% formalin is a personal choice - it depends on whether
your pathologist likes to see formalin fixed morphology or alcohol fixed
morphology.

You didn't mention what method you use to hold all those loose cells
together for processing/embedding/sectioning.  There are several simple
methods available to make your life easier and give the most cellular
blocks/slides.  If you are interested in info about those, just let me know.

Beth Cox, SCT/HT(ASCP)
Schools of Histotechnology
Department of Anatomic Pathology, 100RO
William Beaumont Hospital
3601 W. 13 Mile Road
Royal Oak, MI 48073-6769
Work   248/898-9020
Fax      248/898-9054
E-mail  bethcox <@t> beaumonthospitals.com





Date: Tue, 1 May 2007 12:51:36 -0700
From: "Heckford, Karen - SMMC-SF" <Karen.Heckford <@t> CHW.edu>
Subject: [Histonet] Cell Button Prep
To: "Histonet (histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu)"
       <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Message-ID: <E9A86CC7AD6D904D91CABCC05392933E031A20BB <@t> sfmh-msg-001>
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I was wondering if anyone would be so kind as giving input on the different
ways of preparing a cell button.  We work a lot with Pleural Fluid and
Ascites Fluid.  I have been told two different ways.  One is just 1/2 and
1/2 with fluid and 95%alcohol and spend down decant and get your cell
button.  The other is spend down the fluid decant add 10%formalin respin and
let set then get your cell button.  Of course this all after I have made my
cytospins.  We do not have a ThinPrep type machine.  Any input would be very
appreciative.  I realize there is probably more ways to do this that I have
not heard of.
Cheers,

Karen Heckford HT (ASCP) CE
Lead Histology Technician
Histology/Pathology Department
St. Mary's Medical Center
450 Stanyan St.
San Francisco, Ca. 94117
415-668-1000 ext. 6167
Fax: 415-750-8123
email: kheckfor <@t> chw.edu