Re: Breast Tissue Fixation
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Hello,
We use "Penfix" as well as described by "DRitter". In addition we fix all of
our tissues in "Prefer" from Anatech,Inc. rather than 10% NBF. Judging from
the responses I've read I would speculate that 10% NBF is not solely the
answer despite claims from some of my peers who question the fixing
capabilites of formalin substitutes. Obviously extended fixation for fatty
specimens is a plus but there is "NO" substitue for thinly trimmed sections @
the time of grossing.
I once had a block of lung tissue from an autopsy that sat in 10% NBF for
over 30 days and was still suboptimal when it was finally processed. Of
course the pathologist thought something was wrong with our processor,
reagents or processing schedule. On further investigation, when I melted the
block down to take a closer look I noticed that the tissue block had the
distinct markings from the cassette grid (ie. the tissue had been so
compressed into the cassette that I don't think any length of prolonged
fixation would have allowed for adequate infiltration/perfusion of the tissue
sample for proper dehydration, clearing and subsequent impregnation with
paraffin).
In this new era of "lumpectomies" and the rush for rapid turnaround times we
are faced with the dilemma of satisfying our pathologists and the clinicians
as well, while maintaining the quality for the patients. We need to work on
our pathologists to hold these specimens for prolonged fixation and to trim
them thin, even if it means more blocks for us to cut and them to read and to
encourage them to educate the clinicians on the difficulties of giving these
fatty specimens the time and energies necessary for us to prepare quality
slides.
OK, I'm off my soapbox; hope others will have some inputs for us to share
with our pathologists. I have got into the habit of printing hard copies of
these stories about breast and other fatty specimens and distribute them to
our group so they don't think I'm brushing them off without due consideration
to their concerns.
Respectfully,
Greg Luck
Anatomic Path.; Deaconess Med. Cntr.
Spokane, Wa
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<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2>Hello,
<BR>
<BR>We use "Penfix" as well as described by "DRitter". In addition we fix all of
<BR>our tissues in "Prefer" from Anatech,Inc. rather than 10% NBF. Judging from
<BR>the responses I've read I would speculate that 10% NBF is not solely the
<BR>answer despite claims from some of my peers who question the fixing
<BR>capabilites of formalin substitutes. Obviously extended fixation for fatty
<BR>specimens is a plus but there is "NO" substitue for thinly trimmed sections @
<BR>the time of grossing.
<BR>
<BR>I once had a block of lung tissue from an autopsy that sat in 10% NBF for
<BR>over 30 days and was still suboptimal when it was finally processed. Of
<BR>course the pathologist thought something was wrong with our processor,
<BR>reagents or processing schedule. On further investigation, when I melted the
<BR>block down to take a closer look I noticed that the tissue block had the
<BR>distinct markings from the cassette grid (ie. the tissue had been so
<BR>compressed into the cassette that I don't think any length of prolonged
<BR>fixation would have allowed for adequate infiltration/perfusion of the tissue
<BR>sample for proper dehydration, clearing and subsequent impregnation with
<BR>paraffin).
<BR>
<BR>In this new era of "lumpectomies" and the rush for rapid turnaround times we
<BR>are faced with the dilemma of satisfying our pathologists and the clinicians
<BR>as well, while maintaining the quality for the patients. We need to work on
<BR>our pathologists to hold these specimens for prolonged fixation and to trim
<BR>them thin, even if it means more blocks for us to cut and them to read and to
<BR>encourage them to educate the clinicians on the difficulties of giving these
<BR>fatty specimens the time and energies necessary for us to prepare quality
<BR>slides.
<BR>OK, I'm off my soapbox; hope others will have some inputs for us to share
<BR>with our pathologists. I have got into the habit of printing hard copies of
<BR>these stories about breast and other fatty specimens and distribute them to
<BR>our group so they don't think I'm brushing them off without due consideration
<BR>to their concerns.
<BR>
<BR>Respectfully,
<BR>Greg Luck
<BR>Anatomic Path.; Deaconess Med. Cntr.
<BR>Spokane, Wa
<BR>
<BR></FONT></HTML>
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