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Question 1

ADVANTAGES OF FROZEN SECTIONS

Answer 1

▪ Rapid production of sections for intraoperative diagnosis
▪ Diagnostic and research enzyme and non-enzyme histochemistry
▪ Immunofluorescent and Immunohistochemistry methods
▪ Specialized silver stains in neuropathology

Question 2

DISADVANTAGES OF FROZEN SECTIONS

Answer 2

X no serial sections
X structural details tend to be distorted during cutting and handling
X staining is rarely as satisfactory
X freezing artifact may be produced by inappropriate technique

Question 3

SPECIMENS FOR FROZEN SECTIONS

Answer 3

✓ Fresh, unfixed tissue

✓ Previously fixed tissue

Question 4

REAGENTS USED FOR PREVIOUSLY FIXED TISSUE

Answer 4

o 10% buffered formalin
o 10% formol calcium (4oC) for histochemistry and lipids
o Alcohol
o Mercuric chloride fixative
o Potassium dichromate

Question 5

PROCEDURE FOR FROZEN SECTION

Answer 5

1. COLD KNIFE PROCEDURE

2. CRYOSTAT PROCEDURE

Question 6

REQUIRED THICKNESS OF THE TISSUE FOR COLD KNIFE PROCEDURE

Answer 6

3-5 MM

Question 7

FREEZING AGENT USED FOR COLD KNIFE PROCEDURE

Answer 7

CO2

Question 8

TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENTS OF KNIFE

Answer 8

-40 - -60

Question 9

TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENTS OF TISSUE

Answer 9

-5 to -10 oC

Question 10

TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENTS OF ENVIRONMENT

Answer 10

0 to -10 oC

Question 11

THICKNESS OF SECTIONS PRODUCED IN COLD KNIFE PROCEDURE

Answer 11

10u (dew line)

Question 12

COMPONENTS OF CRYOSTAT PROCEDURE

Answer 12

▪ An anti-fogging air-circulating system
▪ A drain for defrosting and sterilizing
▪ A shelf-metal block carriers
▪ Rotary microtome mounted at a 45 o angle
▪ Knife, mostly 120 mm wedge knife equipped with antiroll
devices