Course Outline
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- Overview
- Tissue Decalcification for Paraffin Processing
- Bone
- Bone Types
- Bone Composition
- Bone Cells
- Bone is primarily comprised of what mineral?
- Fixation of Calcified Tissue
- Fixation of Calcified Tissue
- Fixation of Calcified Tissue, continued
- True or False: Incomplete fixation of specimens before decalcification will affect staining quality.
- Methods Used to Decalcify Tissue
- Decalcification Methods Using Acids
- Strong Mineral Acids
- Weak Organic Acids
- Chelation With EDTA
- Electrolytic Methods
- Match the following decalcification acids with the correct classification as either a strong mineral acid or weak organic acid.
- Which acid is commonly combined with formalin in order to fix and decalcify tissue simultaneously?
- Determining the Endpoint of Decalcification
- Decalcification and Endpoint Determination
- Mechanical Methods of Endpoint Determination
- Chemical Methods of Endpoint Determination
- Radiography Method for Endpoint Determination
- Weight Loss Method for Endpoint Determination
- Post Decalcification
- True or False: Failure to determine an accurate decalcification endpoint results in the loss of basophilia, which subsequently leads to an increase in...
- Troubleshooting Calcified Tissue
- Surface Decalcification
- Inadequate Decalcification
- Excessive Decalcification
- True or False: Calcium that was not effectively decalcified stains bright pink with the H&E stain and does not hinder diagnosis rendering.
- Summary of Decalcification
- References
Additional Information
Level of Instruction: Basic
Intended Audience: Clinical laboratory histotechnologists, histotechnicians, and other medical laboratory personnel who have an interest in this subject matter. This course is also appropriate for histology and medical laboratory science students, pathology residents, and practicing pathologists.
Author Information: Diana Harrington, BS, HT(ASCP), is a histotechnologist at The Dermatology Center of Indiana. Since graduating from Indiana University, she has worked in various hospital laboratories as a medical technologist and histotechnologist. Her experience led her to teach IU students as a Clinical Education Supervisor and create the Histotechnology Program as Program Director for Keiser University in Florida.
The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.
Reviewer Information:
Rosemarie Tavares Proulx, BA, CT(ASCP), HT(ASCP)CM, has over 20 years of experience as a laboratorian, anatomic pathology supervisor, and laboratory manager. She is the former Anatomic Pathology Laboratory Manager at Boston Children's Hospital and currently the Educational Coordinator for the Histotechnician Program at the Community College of Rhode Island.
Judi Bennett, BSM, MLS, is an Education Developer with MediaLab by Vastian and a medical laboratory professional with over 30 years of experience. She has held leadership roles, including Clinical Laboratory Manager, Microbiology Supervisor, and Senior Systems Analyst at Gwinnett Health System in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Judi is passionate about advancing healthcare quality through innovative and engaging laboratory education.
Course Description: This course aims to simplify the decalcification process and provide useful techniques to work with calcified tissue successfully.
