[Histonet] What is a level?

[WILLIAM DESALVO]

You should ask the pathologist what their definition of a level. My dermatopathologists want 40 microns (10 rotations of the microtome wheel, cutting at 4 microns) for a level. This is the typical size of most organells they are looking at. Again, the level depth should be discussed and agreed upon by the pathologist and microtomist. This takes the guess work out of the process. once you have a specific description, make sure this is added to your SOP.

William DeSalvo, BS HTL(ASCP)
 
> From: BGapinski <@t> pathgroup.com
> To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 21:19:40 +0000
> Subject: [Histonet] What is a level?
> 
> What is a level?
> Levels, deepers, we all call it something different, but what exactly is a level?  I know it is all relative. One would never cut into a prostate needle biopsy the same way they'd cut into a skin.
> But if we suppose are tissue sample is 3mm thick (don't laugh). How deeply would you cut when the pathologist asks for a level? I guess I'm talking to those of us with automated microtomes where we can set the trim to 10, 20, 30 microns. I started on a manual microtome where it's impossible to gauge this altogether.
> So let's say I have a nicely processed ellipse of skin grossed 3mm thick.  The pathologist asks me for a level. If we assume I gave them a full face on the first slide, how much deeper should I go to get the level? 60-80 microns? Deeper? Less?
> Your thoughts please,
> 
> 
> Respectfully,
> Bruce Gapinski HT (ASCP)
> 
> 
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