[Histonet] RE: Bone marrow blocks

[Tony Henwood (SCHN)]

Well you could try the warm agar approach:

Agar Cell Block Method

Reference:
Olson NJ, Gogel HK, Williams WL, et al (1986) Processing of aspiration cytology samples: an alternative method. Acta Cytol  30:409-412.
Solutions:

1.	3% Agar
2.	Fixative

Procedure:

1.	Fix material in preferred fixative
2.	Heat 3% agar in a 60oC oven until molten.
3.	Centrifuge specimen and decant supernatant.
4.	Add 3-4 drops molten agar (dependent on size of sample), gently mix
5.	Allow to cool, add fixative, remove block and process.


Regards 
Tony Henwood JP, MSc, BAppSc, GradDipSysAnalys, CT(ASC), FFSc(RCPA) 
Laboratory Manager & Senior Scientist 
Tel: 612 9845 3306 
Fax: 612 9845 3318 
the children's hospital at westmead
Cnr Hawkesbury Road and Hainsworth Street, Westmead
Locked Bag 4001, Westmead NSW 2145, AUSTRALIA 

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Diana McCaig
Sent: Thursday, 27 June 2013 5:02 AM
To: 'histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu'
Subject: [Histonet] Bone marrow blocks

I sent out a request for information a while back and am going to ask again from a different approach.
I am finding problems with embedding blocks of bone marrow particles with or without blood clot.
Does anyone have a special technique they would like to share to concentrate the particles centrally in the block.
Our current technique has the particles put in a block and then they are tamped down causing them to disperse throughout the block.
Sometimes this results in the particles being located around the perimeter of the block with very little centrally positioned yielding extensive time to scan the entire slide because they are so spaced out.

Do you let the sample clot or do you use anti-coagulant?  Are the particles separated or are they mixed in with the blood?

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated

Thanks
Diana
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