Isopentane frozen sections for intraoperative diagnosis

Author(s): Mellen PF, Clark GB

Publication: J Histotechnol, 1991, Vol. 14, Page 285

Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to assess potential differences in the quality of morphological preservation between freezing methods. Brain, muscle, skin, uterine tumor, liver, and lung specimens were divided, embedded in OCT, and frozen in either a -60 degrees C isopentane bath for 15-30 s or a -20 degrees C cryostat heat sink for 1-2 min.

   Summary of Findings:

   The quality of morphological detail was equivalent between case-matched, OCT-embedded muscle, skin, uterus, liver, and lung specimens frozen at -20 degrees C in a cryostat heat sink and those immersed in a -60 degrees C isopentane bath. Several pathologists noted that for brain specimens, the isopentane freezing method superiorly preserved nuclear and neuropil detail compared to case-matched specimens frozen in a cryostat, although data was not shown.

   Biospecimens

   • Tissue - Brain
   • Tissue - Lung
   • Tissue - Uterus
   • Tissue - Liver
   • Tissue - Muscle (Skeletal)
   • Tissue - Skin

   Preservative Types

   • OCT

   Diagnoses:

   • Normal
   • Neoplastic - Carcinoma

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Morphology	H-and-E microscopy

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Biospecimen Preservation	Cooling or freezing method/ rate	Pre-cooled isopentane Cryostat (-20 or -30 degrees C)
   Biospecimen Acquisition	Biospecimen location	Brain Muscle Skin Uterus Liver Lung

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