Marg,

This is the ideal way to map a lesion.  We did not photograph, just
radiographed the slab, then laid an overhead tranparency sheet over
radiograph (on viewer), drew an outline, mapped out area we wanted to
section. The slab was decalcified, using xray endpoint checks, rinsed.
Mapped area was cut out with teflon coated razor blades (Pella or Energy
Beam Sciences), processed and sectioned.  Less shattering occured if
decalcification was done first, or use a good saw to cut out the area
needed before decalcification.  

Some orthopedic pathologists are trained to do this. The map, radiograph
accompanies pathology report to provide precise diagnosis.  This could be
important in osteosarcoma cases.  Bancroft and Stevens book, Second Edition
shows an excellent diagram of a whole femur.

It may be more work for you, but a huge help to pathologist.  I prefer
doing large slabs this way, rather than saw, take a random piece, then
possibly have to go back to bone slabs and do it all over again.

I would side with the pathologist on this technic.  If this slows you down
in work, try this a more rapid decalcifying solution, 8% formic acid/4%
HCl, but use x ray endpoint determination to control it. 

 

 

>Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2000 15:07:52 -0700
>From: "Hagerty, Marjorie A." <mhagerty@emc.org>
>Subject: More on decals
>To: 'Histonet' <histonet@pathology.swmed.edu>
>
>Does anyone do this or know of anyone doing this:
>
>When we receive a femoral head, we cut it into four large cross-section
>slices. We then photograph each of the slices. We x-ray each of the slices
>looking for abnormalities. We mark on the photograph where each of the three
>sections we take for processing comes from. Would love to tell the
>pathologist that no one I know does this, but decided I better get more data
>before approaching him.
>
>Thanks!
>Marg
>
>
>
Gayle Callis
Veterinary Molecular Biology
Montana State University
Bozeman MT 59717-3610
406 994-4705
406 994-4303