A comparison of different embalming fluids on the quality of histological preservation in human cadavers

Abstract

There are significant problems in obtaining normal human material for histology for teaching or research purposes. This study shows that tissue from cadavers embalmed for teaching can be used for routine histology. Twelve cadavers embalmed with four different formalin-containing embalming fluids were used (n = 3 per fluid): (1) formalin mix (10% formalin); (2) Dunedin mix (an alcohol-based fluid containing phenol); (3) Michigan mix (a water-based fluid); and (4) phenoxyethanol mix (an alcohol-based fluid containing phenoxyethanol). Tissue blocks of liver, heart, kidney, skin and skeletal muscle were taken from each cadaver, paraffin embedded, sectioned and stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H & E), Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS), or Mallory trichrome (Malt). Each section was assigned an overall score based on the histological quality of the cellular components of the tissue. Sections were scored from 1 to 3 (1 = poor, 2 = satisfactory, 3 = good). Satisfactory sections were obtained from all cadavers except those embalmed with the Dunedin mix. The Michigan and phenoxyethanol fluids resulted in consistently good quality sections. No significant differences in tissue morphology were observed between the different stains. The clearest morphology was observed in the skin and skeletal muscle sections, and in tissues embalmed with fluids which do not contain phenol.

Comparative Study of Long Term Preservation of Human Cadaveric Tissue

“…[20] This study suggests that embalmed cadaveric tissue can be used for long term preservation and for histological study. Our finding is in agreement with Nicholson's et al [2] who have documented that tissues of the cadavers used in anatomy teaching can be used for teaching and research provided those are properly embalmed. However, owing to the absence of medical history of the cadavers, the effect of any underlying disease on the tissue preservation cannot be speculated.…”

“…Collman and Kogen [21] have found good result of long term preservation of microanatomy of [2] have also documented that histological preservation is better if cadaver is embalmed short after the death. They used four recipes' of embalming fluid which include alcohol based with phenol (Dunedin), formalin based, water based (Michigin mix), alcohol based containing phenoxy ethanol and found satisfactory results with all except Dunedin (Alcohol based with phenol).…”

“…[2] In old times, grave robbing and use of unclaimed bodies was an important source of acquisition of human cadavers for dissection. [3] It is believed that availability of cadavers will always be limited due to ethical and religious constraints ending up with total replacement of cadaveric study with plastic models affecting the quality of anatomical knowledge and surgical skill.…”

An investigation of human jejunal and ileal arteries

“…Firstly, our data were derived from elderly cadavers. Embalming may have affected the arterial structure, although Nicholson et al (2005) found that satisfactory histology was obtained from cadavers using the embalming agents and techniques used in our study. Secondly, ageing itself (Sasajima et al 1999) and systemic hypertension, which is common in the elderly, can both cause an increase in peripheral arterial media thickness in experimental animals (Lee et al 1983) and in humans (Mulvany 1996).…”

“…Two cadavers had been embalmed using Dodge Anatomical mix (Dodge Anatomical, Dodge Co., Boston MA) and the remainder with phenoxyethanol mix (Nicholson et al 2005). None had evidence of previous small bowel pathology or surgery.…”