Problems and Solutions in Histological Technique

Problems in Histopathological Technique

Prepared by

ROY ELLIS

IMVS Division of Pathology

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Woodville Road, Woodville, South Australia 5011

Did you know that tissues labelled as left and right (such as vas deferens or fallopian tubes) can be processed and cut together?

HOW?

Dip one side (preferably the same side each time) in Mercurochrome or Indian ink or other colouring agent after fixation and before processing. Mercurochrome though does contain mercury and should be handled with care. Another, safer methods which can be used is to cut a small V-shape in one piece of tissue. If the two are embedded together they should always be mounted the same way on the slide for easy identification by the pathologist who must be able to differentiate one from the other. After all we must satisfy the pathologist!

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