Gross Fixation Methods Used in the Study of Pulmonary Emphysema

Quantitative assessment of chronic non-specific lung disease at necropsy. Report by Panel on Pathology of the Medical Research Council Committee on Research into Chronic Bronchitis, April 1972.

“…(Horsfield, Cumming, and Hicken, 1966 (ii) The method of Weibel and Vidone (1961) using formalin steam has much to recommend it if detailed study of the pulmonary parenchyma is required. The advantages and disadvantages of this technique are given by Silverton (1964). (iii) Wright et al (1974) It is important that the slicing of lung and selection of blocks are carried out promptly.…”

“…Heard's (1958) method of covering the surface of lung slices with a precipitate of barium sulphate facilitates gross photography although subsequent histological preparations are unsatisfactory because the precipitate vitiates photomicrography. Silverton (1964) claimed that the conventional Heard photographs are improved for the purpose of comparison with radiographs if the image is printed on to a fine grain positive film instead of on to paper. IV MEASUREMENT OF LUNG VOLUME AT NECROPSY 1.…”

“…The advantages and disadvantages of this technique are given by Silverton (1964). (iii) Wright et al (1974) have described a method of vapour fixation in which the lungs are suspended in a Perspex box and made to rebreathe formalin vapour heated to 45°C.…”

Radiological-Pathological Correlations in Pulmonary Disease: A Simplified Method for the Study of Post-Mortem Lungs

“…Air inflation provides contrast between air and soft tissues in the lung specimens, and also approximates the volume of the normal lung in the premortem state so that relationships of lesions within the lung can be studied. Any method used however, should fulfd the criteria set out by Silverton (1965). The method should be simple, avoid artefacts, minor trauma at autopsy should not be a major problem, and there should be re-expansion to a standard degree, preferably to the volume of the lung within the thoracic cavity during life.…”

“…As is well known in mammography, the maximum inherent contrast obtainable with soft tissue radiography relies on low kV technique. Oderr et al (1958) used low (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15) kV, but studied only air-inflated and dried lung specimens. Although the quality of radiographs is extremely good, the standard of histology, though not commented upon, was possibly less than adequate due to the desiccating effect of airdrying.…”