[Histonet] RE: Cornflakes

[Terri Braud]

As a long time user of film (though sadly, no longer) we used to see
what sounds like this artifact when the Xylene dispenser was not
dispensing enough xylene and the slides were not wet enough.  It drove
us crazy until we realized that through the years, the xylene dispensing
knob had become very loose and would readjust itself at the slightest
touch or vibration. We liked our Xylene to be dispensing rapidly, just
short of a steady stream, so constantly checked it.
Also, if your slides are not completely dehydrated before clearing in
Xylene, you are just asking for problems, if not now, then years down
the road when the tape will pull off the slide, taking your tissue with
it.
Been there, done that.  Terri

Terri L. Braud, HT(ASCP)
Anatomic Pathology Supervisor
Holy Redeemer Hospital Laboratory
1648 Huntingdon Pike
Meadowbrook, PA 19046
Ph: 215-938-3676
Fax: 215-938-3874

Message: 10
Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 02:59:38 +0000
From: Sharon Scalise <SSCALISE <@t> beaumont.edu>
Subject: [Histonet] RE: Cornflaking artifact
To: "histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu"
	<histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
I am looking for help with "cornflaking" (tiny, brown dry spots under
coverslip)artifact.  We have been using fresh xylene on our stainer and
coverslipper, cleaned and wiped all containers dry before filling, tried
different lots of coverslipping film and had service on our coverslipper
to make sure it was functioning properly, including the xylene drip.  We
continue to have this artifact and it is driving us crazy.  It is
sporadic with no pattern of tissue type or placement on the slide.
Sometimes it lands on tissue other times not.  Most of the time when we
remove the coverslip and re-coverslip it goes away (I am assuming
because the acetone removes any minute amounts of water that may be
present).  We just cannot figure out where the water is coming from.
Has anyone seen this artifact while using the drying step on the prisma
stainer?  We just recently started using the drying on some slides and I
am thinking maybe it is causing humidity???  I cannot say for a fact
that 

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