Histopathology Artifacts Quiz
ANSWER CASE 10
This micrograph shows streaming artefact in a formalin fixed section
of liver stained by the PAS method. The polarisation of cytoplasmic
granules is quite obvious (which is largely glycogen confirmed by
diastase digestion). It is caused by the precipitation and
displacement of glycogen by the advancing fixation front. The effect
may not be quite so obvious in tissues fixed in specialised glycogen
fixatives such as formal alcohol or Bouin's but it can only be
completely avoided by freeze-drying. So the correct answer is
glycogen streaming artefact.

© Roy C. Ellis 2004