Dear Robert,
the problem almost certainly lies with Specimen collection esp. with
endoscopy specs. These small biospies come out "Steaming Hot" literally and
will start to have drying artifact almost immediately if not placed
immediatley in fixative or PBS, this is especially so when multiple sites
are being biopsied- just a few seconds are too much. The technican or nurse
assisting the surgeon is your prime target, and let your pathologist
convince the surgeon just how important it is to get good fixation.

Mike (Downunder)
-----Original Message-----
From: SALA,ROBERT <SALAR@siouxvalley.org>
To: 'HistoNet' <histonet@pathology.swmed.edu>
Date: Saturday, 18 March 2000 7:17
Subject: Nuclear Staining


>Please forgive me if I am going over old discussions.
>
>We are having a problem with our nuclear staining.  It especially occurs on
>tiny biopsies and on lymphoid tissue.  It is that hazy washed out nuclear
>pattern.  We have tried about everything to correct the problem.  One our
>paths is adamant that it is a heat artifact, I am leaning to incomplete
>dehydration.  We have no heat above 63 C. in any of our procedure, we
>dehydrate in ethanol and clear in a xylene substitute called Clear-Rite
III.
>This artifact in intermittent and does not affect all tissues on the run.
>It appears to get worse towards the bottom of the slides.  VERY
FRUSTRATING!
>
>If anyone has any suggestions on how to correct this please let me know.
>Thanks everyone.
>
>
>Robert M. Sala M.T.(ASCP)
>Histology Supervisor
>Sioux Valley Hospital
>1100 S. Euclid Ave.
>Sioux Falls, SD  57117-5039
>
>