[Histonet] cellblocks

[Cassie P. Davis]

All our tissue is stained with the same H&E protocol. The difference maybe because cellblock are processed different to turn a fluid into a cellblock rather sampling a section of tissue. Most places fix tissue in NBF. Are using ThinPrep processing? If I recall correctly, the specimens are 1st processed in cytolyt solution which I believe is a buffered alcohol solution before the are spun down for the cellblock button and put in a cassette with the tissues in NBF for processing. At least that is how I remember doing it when I did cytoprep +/-12 years ago. This might account for the difference in staining even when the cellblock section is the same thickness as a tissue section. I cannot speak for SurePath or other cytology processing.

If this is a new issue, is there a change in the way the specimen is being processed, are different people cutting cellblocks then tissues, it could be a microtomy section thickness issue. Section cut thinner appear to stain lighter, I drove a patholgist crazy ealier in my early career because I cut at 4 microns and she was used to looking at sections 5-6 microns thick. I hope this helps.

Cassandra Davis
Histology Technician
AP Laboratory
302-575-8095
Email:  CDavis at che-east.org<mailto:CDavis at che-east.org>



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