[Histonet] Inking Skin

[CHRISTIE GOWAN]

Just to clarify:
We do ink our excisions as described below in Cindi's response howerver, our MOHs specimens come to us mounted on a pieces of sturdy paper and are processed in place. We only describe them at gross and then directly place the paper and skin into a cassette for processing. The specemins are skin side up and then placed on edge when embedded. The clinician has stated that he will ink the skin for us so we have a better success rate at getting a full epithelial section at microtomy. Thanks Cindi for your input. We actually use a diluted acetic acid solution to set our inks which is the same thing as vinegar. 
Christie
 

> Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2012 15:38:49 -0400
> From: robinsoc <@t> mercyhealth.com
> To: christiegowan <@t> msn.com
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Inking Skin
> 
> We use cotton swabs dipped in india ink in a variety of colors (purchased from the local Hobby Lobby) and set it with vinegar. We ink the resected margin not the skin. If there is no orientation we use black. If we have orientation we use at least three colors. The ellipse is inked with one color from tip to tip on one half. The other half is divided between two colors. We cut perpendicular to the side with the solid color so each cross section has two colors on it.
> 
> 
> Cindi Robinson HT(ASCP)
> Mercy Medical Center
> Dunes Medical Laboratories
> 350 W Anchor Dr
> Dakota Dunes SD 57049
> phone-712-279-2768
> robinsoc <@t> mercyhealth.com
> 
> 
> >>> CHRISTIE GOWAN <christiegowan <@t> msn.com> 7/27/2012 2:25 PM >>>
> 
> Dear Colleagues,
> My derm pathologist has requested that we ink the epithelium on MOHs derm cases (new pathologist). We process many derm specimens a day but it seems we are having trouble getting full epithelium on our cases that come over from the MOHs clinic. I am not sure that inking the skin will help with the problem but let's just say that if we do decide to ink the surface of these specimens, does anyone know of an ink that will actually stick to skin? I would appreciate anyones input. Thanks and have a great weekend.
> Christie Gowan
> UAB Hospital
> Birmingham, Alabama _______________________________________________
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