Hi Barb,
I don't think your processing is at fault. GI bopsies are fragile and soft,
they need very gentle and SLOW microtome strokes, also cut them thinner than
standard (?) 5 mu. I cut mine at 3 mu. Good luck! Katri.

Katri Tuomala
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Barbara.Davies@memhospcs.org wrote:

> My problem:    micro chatter in Gi biopsies
>
> I need suggestions for improving processing for  GI biopsies.
>
> Here's is what we do already:
> *  Fixation:     10% formalin fixed  (our pathologists hate Hollande's...so
> that is not an option.)
> *  Processing:   We have a separate biopsy only run, which averages 50
> biopsy blocks a day.
>     we presently use a 4 hour run with Pro-Par and ProSoft no heat on a
> Shandon XP.  We have tried a 6 hour (same results as a 4 hour) and a two
> hour run (underprocessed tissue).  We  have also tried a 4 hour run with
> regular alcohols/xylene processing....same results as we presently get.
> We change/rotate processor reagents weekly or bi-weekly depending on needs.
> * Microtomy:  We cut two levels.  Blocks are placed on ice trays and soaked
> between levels.   We cut at 4 microns.  Chatter is not grossly visible on
> the waterbath.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Barb Davies
> Memorial Hospital
> Colorado Springs, CO