Re: Breast tissue processing
In a message dated 10/11/00 7:02:40 PM, WronaE@pamf.org writes:
<< Hello! I work at a small clinic that gets mostly biopsies with an
occasional surgical, and we are having a problem with the breast specimens
that we get once a week or so. They usually get to us late in the day (3PM
or later) and the pathologists say that they cannot get thin sections
because the specimens are not well fixed, but want to put them through the
same day to keep turnaround time short. I am trying to find out how other
hospitals handle their breast or other fatty cases (ie fixation times,
processing schedule) in order to find out where our problems are, and how to
solve them. Thank you for any advice or information that you can give me!
>>
We make a product called Dissect Aid. Dissect Aid is a special fixative for
easier, quicker lymph node recovery. It turns lymph nodes white in the
surrounding tissue mass making them simple to find. Since Dissect Aid fixes
and dehydrates simultaneously, it will also firm up fatty tissues making them
easier to handle. Paraffin infiltration is quick and complete. Routine H & E
and special stains, including immunoperoxidase, work well with tissues fixed
in Dissect Aid.
The following a suggested methodolgy for the use of Dissect Aid.
Dissect Aid
Suggested Methodology
Types of Specimens best suited for Dissect Aid:
a. Lymph node embedded sections
b. Fatty sections
c. Kidney
d. Breast
e. Colon
f. other similar tissue samples
When to use Dissect Aid:
Dissect Aid should be used on fresh tissue section during or just after gross
pathology.
You may wish to remove some lymph nodes for immediate fixation and processing
before gross pathology.
Fixation Time:
The smaller the section, the faster the fixation. Although radical cases may
be fixed whole,
they will fix more rapidly if small cuts are made into the tissue or if the
tissue has been
breadloafed. Place the tissue in a container and cover with Dissect Aid. We
recommend that 10 times the volume of fixative to tissue ratio be used.
Specimens that have been breadloafed or sliced through should fix within 3-4
hours. Entire radical sections ( such as radical breast or colon) may be
fixed overnight.
Post Fixation:
After fixation, sections should be rinsed thoroughly in running water for at
least 1 to 2 minutes. Processing is routine once fixation has occurred.
Specimens may be transferred to 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin ( or other
suitable fixative ) for long term storage.
Results:
Dissect Aid contains alcohol, water, formaldehyde and glacial acetic acid. It
will fix just like 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin. It will also firm up the
ancillary fat in lymph node embedded tissue. Lastly, it will turn all lymph
nodes a pale white so that they stand out in the surrounding tissue mass.
If you have any questions or would like to speak with a colleague who uses
Dissect Aid, please call 1-800-428-5856.
Best Regards to all :-)
Cliff Berger
President
Decal Chemical Corp
1-800-428-5856
www.decal-bone.com
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