Milestone DecalMATE, Operator'S Manual

Page: 69 / 80

Milestone s.r.l. MM112-001 - DecalMATE - Operator Manual
69
A. Appendix
A.1. BONE DECALCIFICATION THROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
PROBLEM BLOCK/SLIDE POSSIBLE CAUSES RIMEDIAL ACTION
Inadequate
decalcification:
Areas of the tissue section
containing
unremoved
calcium.
Appearance of dark blue
areas in the trabeculae.
Excessive
Decalcification:
Loss of nuclear detail and
nuclear staining.
Decrease
in basophilic
staining properties.
1. Section was not placed in decalcifying
solution before processing.
2. Section was left in decalcifying solution
for too little time.
1.
Section left in decalcifying solution for
too long time.
2. Section not well fixed before placing in
decalcifying solution.
1. Ensure that tissues containing calcium are
placed in decalcifying solution.
2. Surface decalcification by carefully facing the
block and then treating the exposed face with
the decalcifying solution. The block after must
be rinsed well and the first ribbon taken.
AND
Check the end point of decalcification
carefully, use radiography if necessary to
determine completeness of decalcification. A
manual instrument can be a needle.
AND
Increase standard DECALCIFICATION times
for future decalcifications.
1. Rigorously monitor the end point of
decalcification using radiography if necessary
or a manual needle.
2.
Ensure good fixation before placing sections
in decalcifying solution.