[Histonet] bone-freezing versus formalin fixing

[DiCarlo, Margaret]

Hello,

 

I work for two orthopedic surgeons and one would like his whole bone
frozen at -80 degrees Celsius and the other one would like it fixed in
10% buffered formalin before slicing on a band saw.  I have to
photograph and x-ray upon receiving them which isn't always the same day
of surgery.  The bone which is frozen is better for picture taking but
on occasion when I formalin fix a bone, my one boss says there is much
better nuclear detail (no muddy appearance of nuclei) and no freezing
artifact.  I use 10% formic acid for decaling and x-ray for end point
decalcification.  The formalin penetrates the whole piece of bone slowly
from the outside working inward and the inside is still unfixed by the
time we slice it which I think would cause the cells to autolyze.  Can
anyone recommend which is the better way to go so I can make the best
H&E slides possible?  

 

I appreciate your advice.

 

Peggy DiCarlo HT (ASCP)

Orthopedic Bone Lab

Buffalo General Hospital

Buffalo, NY  14203

716-859-1293

 



2009 Best Places to Work Winner 
Visit our careers page at www.kaleidahealth.org/careers

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email transmission and any documents, files, or previous e-mail messages attached to it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, or a person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any further review, disclosure, copying, dissemination, distribution, or use of any of the information contained in or attached to this e-mail transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by e-mail, discard any paper copies, and delete all electronic files of the message. If you are unable to contact the sender or you are not sure as to whether you are the intended recipient, please e-mail ISTSEC <@t> KaleidaHealth.org or call (716) 859-7777.