As a long time user of film (though sadly, no longer) we used to see what sounds like this artifact when the Xylene dispenser was not dispensing enough xylene and the slides were not wet enough. It drove us crazy until we realized that through the years, the xylene dispensing knob had become very loose and would readjust itself at the slightest touch or vibration. We liked our Xylene to be dispensing rapidly, just short of a steady stream, so constantly checked it. Also, if your slides are not completely dehydrated before clearing in Xylene, you are just asking for problems, if not now, then years down the road when the tape will pull off the slide, taking your tissue with it. Been there, done that. Terri
Terri L. Braud, HT(ASCP) Anatomic Pathology Supervisor Holy Redeemer Hospital Laboratory 1648 Huntingdon Pike Meadowbrook, PA 19046 Ph: 215-938-3676 Fax: 215-938-3874 Message: 10 Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 02:59:38 +0000 From: Sharon Scalise <sscal...@beaumont.edu> Subject: [Histonet] RE: Cornflaking artifact To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu" <histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu> I am looking for help with "cornflaking" (tiny, brown dry spots under coverslip)artifact. We have been using fresh xylene on our stainer and coverslipper, cleaned and wiped all containers dry before filling, tried different lots of coverslipping film and had service on our coverslipper to make sure it was functioning properly, including the xylene drip. We continue to have this artifact and it is driving us crazy. It is sporadic with no pattern of tissue type or placement on the slide. Sometimes it lands on tissue other times not. Most of the time when we remove the coverslip and re-coverslip it goes away (I am assuming because the acetone removes any minute amounts of water that may be present). We just cannot figure out where the water is coming from. Has anyone seen this artifact while using the drying step on the prisma stainer? We just recently started using the drying on some slides and I am thinking maybe it is causing humidity??? I cannot say for a fact that --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This E-Mail is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it was sent. It may contain information that is privileged and/or confidential, and the use or disclosure of such information may also be restricted under applicable federal and state law. If you received this communication in error, please do not distribute any part of it or retain any copies, and delete the original E-Mail. Please notify the sender of any error by E-Mail. Thank you for your cooperation. _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet