-----Original Message-----
From: Beth Cox <bethcox@tir.com>
To: David Anderson <histomanual@hotmail.com>; histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
<histonet@pathology.swmed.edu>
Date: Tuesday, September 12, 2000 1:51 AM
Subject: Re: Renal biopsies


>In answer to your first question:
>
>In cytology, we find that exposure to normal saline for as little as 1 - 2
>minutes causes problems with cell morphology.  When we can't get Hank's, we
>use a balanced salt solution such as "Norma-sol" or "PlasmaLyte".   Check
>with your pharmacy department to see what comparable balanced salt solution
>they stock.   These solutions will hold specimens for several hours without
>noticeable morphology changes.  Although these are not quite as good as
>Hank's for longer holding periods, they're MUCH better than normal saline!!
>
>Beth Cox, SCT/HT(ASCP)
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "David Anderson" <histomanual@hotmail.com>
>To: <histonet@pathology.swmed.edu>
>Sent: Monday, September 11, 2000 10:43 AM
>Subject: Renal biopsies
>
>
>> Histonetters,
>> I have two questions regarding renal biopsies and would like whatever
>advice
>> anyone can offer.
>> 1. We normally receive renals in Hank's transport medium and do the
>> dissection in the lab. We've run out of Hank's and it could be weeks or
>> months before we get more, if at all. The clinics are now sending renals
>in
>> bottles of normal saline. It would obviously be better if they were
placed
>> on saline moistened gauze, but no one in our lab's heirarchy knows,
>> understands, or cares, so the clinics have never been given any guidance
>> from Pathology. Will 15-20 minutes in normal saline adversely affect the
>> tissue?
>>
>> 2. Last week, we received (in saline) a renal from a patient with known
>TB.
>> Today, we got a positive AFB stain on that specimen. We don't have a
>> biological fume hood - the dissecting microscope probably wouldn't fit
>> inside anyway, so we're examining these specimens in an open room on an
>open
>> bench. How much danger are we in? Our chief pathologist insists there is
>no
>> risk at all. "You can't catch TB that way" were his exact words. We're
not
>> so sure. The tech who evaluated the biopsy took what precautions he
>could -
>> gloves, gown, and mask - but we're still very uncomfortable with this
>> situation. TB is common here and nobody wants to take unnecessary
chances.
>> If anyone has any opinions or ideas, we'd love to hear them.
>>
>> David Anderson
>> Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital
>> Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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>
>