MIDTERM LEC: DECALCIFICATION Flashcards
Follows fixation
DECALCIFICATION
Removal of calcium or lime salts from calcified tissues
DECALCIFICATION
Inadequate decalcification poor cutting of hard tissues an damage to the knife edge during sectioning
DECALCIFICATION
Hastened by heat and agitation
DECALCIFICATION
With a common 2-day duration
DECALCIFICATION
Calcifications cause a grating sensation during sectioning
Remedy:
Remove block from the chuck, and place face down on cotton or gauze with 10% HCl
Hematoxylin-stained microcalcifications =
dark purple granular
masses with light purple halos
DECALCIFICATION IS DONE:
Bone
Teeth
Teratoma (means monster)
Calcified tissues: tuberculous organs, arteriosclerotic vessels
DECALCIFICATION GROSSING:
Done before fixation
Double gloves, eye protection glasses, face mask
Specialized table for bone processing
Bone specimens are grossed in fresh state
Bone dust particles can be loaded with blood or infectious malts (osteomyelitis, gangrene)
Fine fret-saw saw hand razor
Factors Affecting Decalcification:
- Concentration
- Tissue-to-volume ratio
- Temperature
- Mechanical agitation
- Size & consistency of tissue sample
HIGH=faster, but may be more harmful to tissue
Concentration
Tissue-to-volume ratio
optimum: 1:20
HIGH=faster, but may be more harmful to tissue
Temperature
TEMPERATURE OPTIMUM:
18 to 30 degrees Celsius
Hastens decalcification
Mechanical agitation
Larger specimens will slow the rate of decalcification
Size & consistency of tissue sample
Methods of Decalcification:
- Acids
- Chelating Agents
- Ion Exchange Resin
- Electrical ionization (electrophoresis)
Most widely used, stable, easily available, relatively inexpensive:
- Nitric acid
- Hydrochloric acid
- Formic acid
- Trichloroacetic acid
- Sulfurous acid
- Chromic acid
- Citric acid
Most common and fastest agents
Nitric acid
Removed by 70% ROH during dehydration
Nitric acid
Imparts yellow coloration d/t nitrous acid formation
[Remedy: add Urea or Sodium thiosulfate/sulfate]
Nitric acid
NITRIC ACID TYPES:
- 10% Aqueous Nitric Acid
- Formol-Nitric Acid
- Perenyi’s fluid
- Phloroglucin Nitric acid
Urgent, needle and small biopsies
10% Aqueous Nitric Acid
Has formalin (allows less destruction)
Formol-Nitric Acid
Urgent biopsies
Formol-Nitric Acid
Has chromic acid and ROH (thus, no tissue breakup)
Perenyi’s fluid
Also a tissue softener
Perenyi’s fluid
Most rapid decalcifying agent
Phloroglucin Nitric acid
Complete decalcification cannot be determined through chemical means
Phloroglucin Nitric acid
Removed with 3 changes of 70-90% ETOH
Phloroglucin Nitric acid
Slower and causes more distortion compared to HNO3
Hydrochloric acid