[Histonet] cutting bone with metal

[Jack Ratliff]

Thank you Peggy for the kind intro!

Both Peggy and Andrew are correct that it is possible to perform histology on this tissue and with the metal remaining intact with the specimen. As they both have stated, resin embedding is required to accomplish this, along with some form of saw sectioning using a diamond studded material like a wire saw, disc wheel, or band saw blade. I have even witnessed and personally used a non-contact laser method to cut sections from specimens containing metallic implants, but that is another discussion in itself!

Please feel free to have your researcher contact me directly (see contact info below) Jennifer and I will make sure they get the information they might need to move forward with their study.

Best Regards,

Jack

ratliffjack <@t> gmail.com
615-236-4901 (o)
317-281-1975 (c)


On Oct 26, 2012, at 4:16 AM, "Lee & Peggy Wenk" <lpwenk <@t> sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> Talk with Jack Ratliff, Chair of the NSH Hard Tissue Committee.
> 
> Jack L. Ratliff
> 615-236-4901
> ratliffjack <@t> gmail.com
> 
> The answer is Yes, histologic sections can be made, but need plastic resins (methyl methracylate or glycol methacrylate or something similar) and special microtomes and knives. If the researcher's lab doesn't do this technique, Jack can let him know who does, and the tissue can be sent out to the specialty lab. Paraffin blocks on regular histology microtomes won't cut it - literally and figuratively.
> 
> Peggy Wenk, HTL(ASCP)SLS
> Beaumont Hospital
> Royal Oak, MI 48073
> 
> The opinions expressed are my own, and do not reflect on Beaumont Hospital.
> 
> -----Original Message----- From: Jennifer MacDonald
> Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2012 11:38 PM
> To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: [Histonet] cutting bone with metal
> 
> I have been asked the following question.  I do not have an answer and was
> hoping someone in the Histonet community did.
> Thanks.
> 
> There is a researcher who is doing orthopedic procedures on broken rat
> tibias. The researcher is repairing the tibias with metal rods or
> plates…not sure which (and the doctor isn't sure what kind of metal
> either). The researcher wants to know if it is possible to make histologic
> sections of the repaired tibias with the metal intact 
> 
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