If the surgeon is seeking demonstration of silver in the colon biopsy, a
frozen section would be the best choice. A metal chelating method such as
the Rhodanine technique for silver may be appropriate, but the results can
often be variable on FFPE tissue.


Incubating solution:

p-Dimethylaminobenzylidine-rhodanine
(saturated solution in 90% ETOH) 3.5 ml
M-nitric acid                      3 ml
DH20                            93.5 ml

Method:

Incubate sections in rhodanine solution at 37 C for 18-24 hours.
Wash in DH20. Mount in aqueous mountant.

Results:

Silver - reddish brown.

Bancroft & Stevens, Theory and Practice of Histological Techniques,
Churchill Livingstone, 1996.



Eric C. Kellar
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center





-----Original Message-----
From: Monteverde, Cheryl A BACH-Ft Wainwright
To: 'histonet@PATHOLOGY.swmed.edu'
Sent: 3/28/00 2:05 PM
Subject: silver detection

Dear histonetters,
	I have a surgeon that has submitted a colon biopsy, and would
like
me to stain for silver. I have not found anything in the usual sources,
nor
has my pathologist (with 30 years experience) heard of such a thing.  I
would appreciate any suggestions you might have.  thanks in advance

cheryl