We recently switched most of our cell blocks from agar to Histogel, works great. We use small disposable embedding mold, put the specimen in the bottom and add the histogel about half way up the mold, let it harden, pop it out and put it in the cass. Also cuts much better than agar.
Daniel Hewitt Histology Supervisor, HVS 412-749-7371 This email, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, or an agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and delete and destroy all copies of the original message, including attachments. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this e-mail are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Heritage Valley Health System. The integrity and security of this message cannot be guaranteed on the internet. -----Original Message----- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Rathborne, Toni Sent: Friday, September 06, 2013 7:18 AM To: 'Tom McNemar'; 'Ann Specian'; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: RE: [Histonet] Cell Block Preparation I wonder if this method could be used with the product Histogel. Has anyone tried it? -----Original Message----- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Tom McNemar Sent: Friday, September 06, 2013 5:46 AM To: 'Ann Specian'; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: RE: [Histonet] Cell Block Preparation This is how we do it now. In the old days, we used agar and to my mind, it is still the best way when you have scant material. - Spin in a conical tube and pour off - Melt an agar slant (we get TSA slant from micro) - Pour the agar into the conical tube and spin for 5 minutes - The agar will re-solidify and whatever sediment there is will be concentrated in the very tip of the cone - The agar will slide out of the centrifuge tube - Slice off the very tip and wrap in lens paper - Place the wrapped tip in a cassette and process as usual - Embed the specimen tip down and you are good to go... I still use this method today when I feel it necessary. Works great. Tom McNemar, HT(ASCP) Histology Co-ordinator Licking Memorial Health Systems (740) 348-4163 (740) 348-4166 tmcne...@lmhealth.org www.LMHealth.org -----Original Message----- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Ann Specian Sent: Thursday, September 05, 2013 12:45 PM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Cell Block Preparation I am getting complaints in regard to "insufficient" cell blocks. We currently spin, pour off the supernatant, retrieve the sediment and process in lens paper. Does anyone have a more current technique which renders better cellularity? Also, do you know which renders a better cell block: a fresh specimen, a specimen fixed in Cytolyt or a specimen fixed in 10% NBF? Thanks, Ann _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet This e-mail, including attachments, is intended for the sole use of the individual and/or entity to whom it is addressed, and contains information from Licking Memorial Health Systems which is confidential or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, nor authorized to receive for the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this e-mail and attachments is prohibited. If you have received this in error, please advise the sender by reply e-mail and delete the message immediately. You may also contact the LMH Process Improvement Center at 740-348-4641. E-mail transmissions cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free as information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late or incomplete, or contain viruses. The sender therefore does not accept liability for any errors or omissions in the contents of this message, which arise as a result of e-mail transmission. Thank you. _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet