Histopathology Artifacts Quiz

 

ANSWER CASE 21

Polystyrene based mountants are made from a plastic dissolved in xylene to which a plasticiser is usually added. It is important that the correct plastic is chosen and an appropriate amount of plasticiser is added and that the mountant has been tested for its ageing qualities. If the mountant is not of satisfactory quality it may break down in time. This effect is usually evident after about six months. This has occurred with the mountant on this section which has crystallised. The answer therefore is crystallisation of the mounting medium.




 
© Roy C. Ellis 2004