[Histonet] gout procedure

[Steve McClain]

Sandra, 

Gout is readily identified from Direct smears by examining either
unstained, mounted slides or Dif Quik-stained slides mounted under
polarized light. 

 

If processed, start in 70% alcohol and process to paraffin.

Do not let slides sit in water during staining.  

 

Some uric acid generally remains even in H&E though far less than is
visible on direct smear.

 

If gout is received in formalin (uric acid is even more soluble in
formalin fixative than water), one can recover it by drying the fixative
on a slide in the oven and mounting unstained or Dif-Quik stain.

 

Steve

Steve A. McClain, MD

45 Manor Road

Smithtown, NY 11787

631 361 4000