[Histonet] curious about soaking paraffin blocks.

Thu Oct 25 11:46:24 CDT 2007

Some on the net just like to try and make you feel foolish. I know of
SEVERAL techs (in diff labs, facilities, states etc.) that soak on occasion
when they feel it will benefit the cut etc. It's called technique. As we all
know, not all is equal in histology..........Cheri

Cheri Miller HT ASCP
Histology Supervisor
Physicians Laboratory Services, Inc.
Omaha, NE 68117
402 738 5052

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-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Heckford,
Karen - SMMC-SF
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2007 10:49 AM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] curious about soaking paraffin blocks.

 I always face my blocks and then place them on the ice facing upwards.  If
I need to soak any blocks I use ammonia water only for about a minute.  I
have in the past used Downey fabric softener (the original scent only) this
works great on big tissue like uterus.  It also makes the lab smell like a
laundry facility. 
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

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Cheri Miller
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2007 6:34 AM
To: 'Smith Wanda'; 'Anna K. Schultz'; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] curious about soaking paraffin blocks.

My experience shows soaking sometimes facilitates better sectioning it just
depends on the tissue. When I do soak blocks, the small biopsies I place on
the ice tissue side up so I don't risk swelling. 
Cheri Miller HT ASCP
Histology Supervisor
Physicians Laboratory Services, Inc.
Omaha, NE 68117
402 738 5052

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-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Smith Wanda
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 10:52 AM
To: Anna K. Schultz; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] curious about soaking paraffin blocks.

Anna,
The danger in leaving faced blocks on the ice too long is it causes the
tissue to swell.  The part of the tissue that swells will be cut away when
you start to cut your sections.  This can be bad for tiny biopsy specimens
or needle core biopsies, because you may cut the tissue away.
I hope this helps!
Wanda

Wanda G. Smith, HTL(ASCP)HT
Trident Medical Center
Pathology Supervisor
ph:  843-847-4586
fx:  843-847-4296
email:  wanda.smith <@t> hcahealthcare.com
-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Anna K.
Schultz
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 11:06 AM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] curious about soaking paraffin blocks.

Greetings All,
  I remember reading on here/archives that paraffin blocks should not be

soaked or kept on ice for too long--what is the reasoning behind this?  
I am just plain curious and still fairly new to the field.  I often leave
blocks on for a long time and this seems to help or at least not hurt.

Thanks,
Anna
--
Anna K. Schultz
SDRC Core A Research Technician
Department of Dermatology
College of Physicians and Surgeons
Columbia University
Vanderbilt Clinic 15-211
630 West 168^th Street
New York, NY 10032
Phone: (212) 305-4954

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