First of all, freezing spray should NEVER be used in a cryostat.  It produces 
dangerous aerosolized pathogens that linger in the air, just waiting to infect 
someone. There should be no exceptions.
As to the ice artifact problem,  not surprising to see this in brain since it 
is so fragile and often edematous.  Your best bet to eliminate freeze artifact 
is to "snap freeze" the tissue using the technique used in muscle biopsy 
samples.  A metal sample cup containing 2-Methyl Butane (Isopentane) is  
suspended in Liquid Nitrogen, stirring until it becomes a thickened, white 
slurry.  The mounted tissue sample is immersed in this slurry to freeze, then 
placed in the cryostat to come up to cryostat temps before cutting.  That is 
the short and sweet version, and there are many published versions of the 
technique.  It is cumbersome, but produces no freezing artifact.
Best of luck, Terri

Terri L. Braud, HT(ASCP)
Anatomic Pathology Supervisor
HNL Laboratories for 
Holy Redeemer Hospital
1648 Huntingdon Pike
Meadowbrook, PA 19046
Ph: 215-938-3689
Fax: 215-938-3874
------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2021 15:25:08 +0000
From: Bonello Dorianne M at Health-MDH <dorianne.m.bone...@gov.mt>
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"
Subject: [Histonet] frozen section problem

Dear all,
We are experiencing freezing artifacts on our frozen sections. Basically, we 
are seeing cavity-like structures under the microscope, mostly elongated, 
especially when it's a frozen section on brain tissue. This is most probably 
happening due to ice crystal formation. We're not using cryospray, relying only 
on the cryobar boost function.
Does anyone has a solution to this problem please
Regards,
Dorianne Bonello
Allied Health Practitioner (MLS)
Histology Laboratory - Pathology
Health-Mater Dei Hospital



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