Application of domestic microwave for urgent histopathology reporting: an evaluation.

Rapid diagnosis of histopathological material is becoming increasingly desirable. In neuropathology, crush smear preparation and frozen section diagnosis of tissues removed during operative procedures, have remained as essential tools for rapid diagnosis. Microwave technology has been introduced into the field of tissue processing and staining in past decade. Now-a-days even automated microwave assisted rapid tissue processors are available. In our study we have analysed the use of a domestic microwave (cost approximately Rs.5000) for urgent histoprocessing (30 minutes). This could be useful in small laboratories or the ones which are in the phase of establishing the department as the procedure is much more economical than obtaining a frozen section (which requires a cryostat worth 3-6 lakhs) and the interpretation of the section obtained does not require any extra experience as these resemble the routinely processed tissue sections. The advantages and limitations of the procedure have been discussed.

Digital photography in anatomical pathology.

Digital imaging has made major inroads into the routine practice of anatomical pathology and replaces photographic prints and Kodachromes for reporting and conference purposes. More advanced systems coupled to computers allow greater versatility and speed of turnaround as well as lower costs of incorporating macroscopic and microscopic pictures into pathology reports and publications. Digital images allow transmission to remote sites via the Internet for consultation, quality assurance and educational purposes, and can be stored on and disseminated by CD-ROM. Total slide digitisation is now a reality and will replace glass slides to a large extent. Three-dimensional images of gross specimens can be assembled and posted on websites for interactive educational programmes. There are also applications in research, allowing more objective and automated quantitation of a variety of morphological and immunohistological parameters. Early reports indicate that medical vision systems are a reality and can provide for automated computer-generated histopathological diagnosis and quality assurance.

Microwave technique in histopathology and its comparison with the conventional technique.

125 formalin fixed human tissues from different organs and 50 fresh animal tissues were taken. Each tissue piece was divided into two. Fresh animal tissues were fixed and processed in a domestic microwave oven and formalin fixed tissue were only processed in microwave oven. Simultaneous conventional processing was also carried out. Among the fresh tissues, 34 pieces were fixed in 10% formalin and 16 were stabilized in normal saline, with microwave irradiation. For histoprocessing graded ethanol (70% and absolute) for 150 tissues and graded isopropanol (70% and absolute) for 25 tissues were used for dehydration in microwave technique. Chloroform for 95 tissues, xylene for 15 tissues and isopropanol for 65 tissues were used as clearing agent in microwave technique. Liquid paraffin was impregnating agent in all 175 cases. The oven was operated at 50% power for 10 cases and 40% power for 165 cases. Recording of temperature could not be done. Regarding fixation with formalin 80% cases gave satisfactory result, while with normal saline, only 30% cases were satisfactory. Regarding dehydration with ethanol 80% were satisfactory and with isopropanol 60% were satisfactory. Regarding clearing--both chloroform and isopropyl alcohol gave satisfactory results in 80% cases but with, xylene tissues were fragmented and brittle.

Patología infecciosa en personal de quirófano / Infectious diseases in the surgical team

Las enfermedades infecciosas son uno de los principales riesgos a los que se expone el personal de quirófano. La probabilidad de adquirirlas es mayor en centros de investigación y hospitales, y está en relación a las categorías de trabajo y los servicios. Las principales son la hepatitis B, C y D, y el síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida. Los principales factores de riesgo son el contacto frecuente con sangre y otros líquidos y secreciones de pacientes infectados, pérdida de la continuidad de la piel o mucosas, tipo y tiempo de la cirugía, y la perforación accidental de los guantes. El tamizaje para el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana, de los pacientes sometidos a cirugía se ha postulado como medida para disminuir el riesgo. Su indicación como medida sistemática se ha cuestionado. Es probable que cambios en la técnica quirúrgica, como el evitar el contacto simultáneo del instrumental punzocortante por el instrumentista y el cirujano, sean una mejor medida para evitar la contaminación accidental en quirófano. El uso de campos estériles desechables e impermeables puede incrementar la protección. El uso de doble guante puede estar indicado en cirugías de larga duración o cuando se maneje hueso, pero es más importante el ajuste adecuado del guante. La vacunación contra la hepatitis B está indicada en todo el personal de quirófano. La observancia de las medidas preventivas debe ser sistemática y seguida por todo el equipo quirúrgico.