[Histonet] Re: celloidin, collodion

[Rosie Scrimizzi]

for plasma cell blocks, ensure cell pellet is "dry" (tap off as much supernatent so as not to dilute plasma), use Na Citrate plasma (still has fibrinogen and Ca ++ ions from ie coagulation studies tube obtained from your haematology dept.), add 2 drops to your cell pellet, mix and add one drop of thrombin....works a treat, used this method for 20 yrs, no failures. Fix cell block in 10%NBF or whatever fixative you use and process.
 
need to refrigerate plasma and thrombin. Also need to use clean pipette to dispense plasma so as not to contaminate it. Obtain fresh plasma weekly ( good nutrient media for bacteria)
 
Rosie Scrimizzi
 
Technical Specialist Histology
Siemens HDx
 
> Date: Mon, 30 May 2011 13:44:30 -0400
> From: rsrichmond <@t> gmail.com
> To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: [Histonet] Re: celloidin, collodion
> 
> I've never seen celloidin, collodion, or what have you - solutions of
> cellulose nitrate in ethyl ether or other flammable solvents - used
> for cytologic cell block preparation.
> 
> Cellulose nitrate is simply too much of a fire and explosion hazard to
> allow it in a histology lab at all.
> 
> Thermo Scientific Richard-Allan Scientific - or whatever they're
> called this week - offers HistoGel, a proprietary gel for cell block
> preparation. I've seen it used, and at least in some labs it works
> well. It's supposed to be quite expensive, in an area where the bean
> counters come down hard. HistoGel requires formaldehyde fixation.
> 
> Many people used to use trypticase soy agar (TSA) purloined from the
> microbiology lab, but I'm not sure they use it any more.
> 
> An old technique perhaps stiil in use is adding plasma to the cell
> block pellet, and then clotting the plasma with thrombin. I don't have
> any experience with it.
> 
> People have a lot of trouble preparing cell blocks.
> 
> Bob Richmond
> Samurai Pathologist
> Knoxville TN
> 
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