Improvised double-embedding technique of minute biopsies: A mega boon to histopathology laboratory.
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Date
2015-01
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Abstract
Introduction: Optimal orientation of minute mucosal biopsies is essential for a
defi nite diagnosis in gastrointestinal pathology or to visualize neural plexuses
in Hirschsprung disease. The problem of minute size of the biopsy and its
orientation gets compounded when they are from neonates and mandates
exhaustive strip cuts, thus delaying reporting. Aim: A modifi ed agar-paraffi n
technique is aimed to make tissue embedding effi cient and user-friendly by inking
mapping biopsies (one or more) either fresh or fi xed with surgical coloring inks
followed by embedding fi rst in agar after orientation and followed thereafter by
processing, re-embedding in paraffi n wax, sectioning and staining. Results: The
tissues in agar paraffi n block were found to be well processed, fi rm, held secure
and well preserved. The blocks were easy to cut, with serial sections of thickness
2-3 μ and easy to spread. The colored inks remained permanently on the tissues
both in the block as well as on the sections which helped in easy identifi cation
of tissues. Agar did not interfere with any stain such as Hematoxylin and Eosin
or with histochemical stains, enzyme histochemistry or immunohistochemistry.
Inking biopsies and pooling them in a block when obtained from the same
patient reduced the number of tissue blocks. Conclusion: The modifi ed
agar-paraffi n embedding technique is a simple reliable user friendly method that
can greatly improve the quality of diagnostic information from minute biopsies
by optimal orientation, better quality of sections, faster turnaround time and
cost-effectiveness by economizing on the number of paraffi n blocks, manpower,
chemical reagents and laboratory infrastructure
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Keywords
Agar-paraffi n block, coloring inks, Hirschsprung disease, mucosal biopsies
Citation
Yadav Lokendra, Thomas Sarega, Kini Usha. Improvised double-embedding technique of minute biopsies: A mega boon to histopathology laboratory. Indian journal of pathology& Microbiology 2015 Jan-Mar 58: (1) 12-16.