A word of advice. if you are planning to do immuno in these specimens, I would recommend nothing stronger than 5% Formic acid. Our bone marrow cores take about 1 ½ - 2 hrs to decal in this solution. Avoid strong mineral acids (like HCl) at all cost if you want decent immuno staining. Some individuals will recommend EDTA to you but we find it to be too slow for the turnaround desired in our clinical environment. Some companies market combination solutions that may be useful but I don't have enough experience with these to comment. Caveat emptor!

Vinnie

Vinnie Della Speranza
Manager for Anatomic Pathology Services
Medical University of South Carolina
165 Ashley Avenue
Suite 309
Charleston, SC  29425
ph:  (843) 792-6353
fax: (843) 792-8974
email: Dellav@musc.edu

>>> Christa Hladik <CHRISTA.HLADIK@email.swmed.edu> 02/28/00 10:45AM >>>
Hello,
Our lab has been asked to do a project which includes decal of bone marrow biopsies.  
It has been years since I have worked in routine, I really could use some updating on decal solutions that are being used today and approximate times in solutions.  

Thanks in advance for your help!

Christa Hladik, HT(ASCP) QIHC
Technical Director, Pathology Immunohistochemistry Laboratory
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
6000 Harry Hines Blvd.
Lab NB7.214
Dallas, Texas  75235-9072
(214) 648-1177; Fax (214) 648-1179
e-mail:  christa.hladik@email.swmed.edu