Abstract
With recent technological advances and cost reductions, automated embedding systems are rapidly becoming routine in the processing of skin biopsy specimens. The efficiency advantages of this technique are due in part to the use of patented sectionable cassettes that hold formalin-fixed tissue from the time of grossing through tissue sectioning. In this process, the final paraffin block contains both the tissue and the cassette, which are sectioned and stained in unison. Here, we report the multiple tissue and slide artifacts commonly seen with automated embedding systems that are unique to this method of tissue processing. The most frequently observed tissue changes are patterned molding of the biopsy specimen around the cassette material. The most common slide artifacts are due to the presence of geometrically shaped polarizable cassette material adjacent to or overlying the stained tissue. As many of these artifacts strongly resemble the shapes seen in the classic 1980s video game, Tetris, we propose the term of Tetris-like artifacts for these findings. Although we remain confident that use of an automated embedding system does not decrease diagnostic reliability, increased familiarity with the standard appearance of slides processed using this technique will help avoid confusion when evaluating these cases.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 846-849 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | American Journal of Dermatopathology |
| Volume | 37 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 1 2015 |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- embedding automation
- histopathology
- sectionable cassette
- slide artifacts
- tissue processing
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine
- Dermatology
Cite this
Characterization of Tissue and Slide Artifacts From Automated Embedding Systems. / Goldberg, Matthew S.; Wetherington, Sarah J.; Susa, Joseph S.; Wickless, Scott C.; Cockerell, Clay J.
In: American Journal of Dermatopathology, Vol. 37, No. 11, 01.11.2015, p. 846-849.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Characterization of Tissue and Slide Artifacts From Automated Embedding Systems
AU - Goldberg, Matthew S.
AU - Wetherington, Sarah J.
AU - Susa, Joseph S.
AU - Wickless, Scott C.
AU - Cockerell, Clay J.
PY - 2015/11/1
Y1 - 2015/11/1
N2 - With recent technological advances and cost reductions, automated embedding systems are rapidly becoming routine in the processing of skin biopsy specimens. The efficiency advantages of this technique are due in part to the use of patented sectionable cassettes that hold formalin-fixed tissue from the time of grossing through tissue sectioning. In this process, the final paraffin block contains both the tissue and the cassette, which are sectioned and stained in unison. Here, we report the multiple tissue and slide artifacts commonly seen with automated embedding systems that are unique to this method of tissue processing. The most frequently observed tissue changes are patterned molding of the biopsy specimen around the cassette material. The most common slide artifacts are due to the presence of geometrically shaped polarizable cassette material adjacent to or overlying the stained tissue. As many of these artifacts strongly resemble the shapes seen in the classic 1980s video game, Tetris, we propose the term of Tetris-like artifacts for these findings. Although we remain confident that use of an automated embedding system does not decrease diagnostic reliability, increased familiarity with the standard appearance of slides processed using this technique will help avoid confusion when evaluating these cases.
AB - With recent technological advances and cost reductions, automated embedding systems are rapidly becoming routine in the processing of skin biopsy specimens. The efficiency advantages of this technique are due in part to the use of patented sectionable cassettes that hold formalin-fixed tissue from the time of grossing through tissue sectioning. In this process, the final paraffin block contains both the tissue and the cassette, which are sectioned and stained in unison. Here, we report the multiple tissue and slide artifacts commonly seen with automated embedding systems that are unique to this method of tissue processing. The most frequently observed tissue changes are patterned molding of the biopsy specimen around the cassette material. The most common slide artifacts are due to the presence of geometrically shaped polarizable cassette material adjacent to or overlying the stained tissue. As many of these artifacts strongly resemble the shapes seen in the classic 1980s video game, Tetris, we propose the term of Tetris-like artifacts for these findings. Although we remain confident that use of an automated embedding system does not decrease diagnostic reliability, increased familiarity with the standard appearance of slides processed using this technique will help avoid confusion when evaluating these cases.
KW - embedding automation
KW - histopathology
KW - sectionable cassette
KW - slide artifacts
KW - tissue processing
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84946557763&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84946557763&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/DAD.0000000000000338
DO - 10.1097/DAD.0000000000000338
M3 - Article
C2 - 25751753
AN - SCOPUS:84946557763
VL - 37
SP - 846
EP - 849
JO - American Journal of Dermatopathology
JF - American Journal of Dermatopathology
SN - 0193-1091
IS - 11
ER -