Hi Colin,

We never have formalin pigment on our bloody cell blocks and we process
them the same day. We spin down the fluid, discard the supernatant, add
10 mL of absolute ethyl alcohol and then respin. The cell block is then
placed in formalin until the processor is loaded.

Marg,
EMC

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Colin Henderson [SMTP:COLINH@stj.stjosephs.london.on.ca]
> Sent:	Thursday, January 21, 1999 11:51 AM
> To:	HistoNet@Pathology.swmed.edu
> Subject:	Cell Button Fixatives
>
> Histonet:
>
> I am looking for a rapid fixative for fine needle
> aspirations which will:
>
> 1) avoid formalin pigment artefact (the fluids are often
>     very hemorrhagic)
>
> and
>
> 2) quickly harden up the spun down cellular
>     component of the aspirate (cell button) so that
>     we can process it the same day
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Colin in London, Ontario, Canada