AW: [Histonet] Staining vs. paraffin wax problems

[Gudrun Lang]

Does this look like desert-earth cracks? If yes, this could be a matter of
water under the edges after sectioning and half-drying. Do you find the
artefacts in the lower part of your sections related to the drying-direction
(upright)?
The section dries and sticks from the outer paraffin-limits to the center.
When the rest of the section sits down and shrinks, it could happen that it
tears. (Seen as a water-filled blister.)
Be sure, that the water is thrown out before drying, and dry vertically.

The other possibility is a too hot waterbath. The sections expand too much,
but I think this would be seen all over the section.
This can also be seen, if the paraffin infiltration wasn't sufficient.

I hope my English is good enough to explain my thoughts.
Gudrun

-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] Im Auftrag von Jason
McGough
Gesendet: Freitag, 27. März 2009 17:27
An: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Betreff: [Histonet] Staining vs. paraffin wax problems

We are experiencing difficulties with our H&E staining and other Special
Stains. After the slides are stained the edges of the tissue look
fragmented/chattered. Our pathologists also thought the sections looked like
they might be too thick but we checked all of our microtomes for thickness
settings and all are set at 4 micrometers. There seems to be several
blotches of light staining throughout the tissue. This seems to be only on
our small biopsies. We use McCormick Paraplast Extra for paraffin wax.
Another bit information is that we recycle all of our xylene.

Is this a deparaffinization, processing, or a staining issue? Any help is
appreciated.

Jason McGough HT(ASCP)
Account Representative - Anatomic Pathology
Clinical Laboratory of the Black Hills
2805 5th Street Suite 210
Rapid City, SD 57701
605-343-2267 Ext 127
605-718-3779 (Fax)
jmcgough <@t> clinlab.com





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