Histopathology Artifacts Quiz
ANSWER CASE 5
When fresh some tissues, such as lymph node,
are very susceptible to damage from crushing with forceps or other
surgical instruments. This Micrograph shows this crush artefact or
compression quite well. At one margin the section shows darkly
staining, distorted cell nuclei, some obviously stretched out and
flattened, but maintaining an intense basophilia. Some are almost
fibre-like. Normal tissue is present below this area. This artefact
is typically seen at the periphery of specimens and is usually in
small, localised areas. Answer crush or compression artefact.

© Roy C. Ellis 2004