Histoprocessing with the microwave oven: an update

Abstract

This paper evaluates and extends the novel method of preparing tissue blocks for paraffin sections within 30 to 60 min, that was proposed in early 1985 in a paper by Boon et al. (1986). More than 2 years' additional experience and testing various microwave ovens has led to new protocols reported in this paper. Results are given of testing (i) an especially designed microwave oven for histoprocessing, (ii) microwavable reagents, (iii) processing larger numbers of specimens simultaneously, (iv) handling different types and sizes of tissue. It is concluded that effective temperature control offers substantial advantages. In addition, the possibilities of performing routine diagnostic pathology omitting formalin altogether are sketched.

A Comparison of Immunohistochemical Stain Quality in Conventional and Rapid Microwave Processed Tissues

“…However, these obstacles have been overcome. 2 During the last few decades, numerous reports have supported the use of microwave technology in a wide variety of applications in diagnostic surgical pathology, including transmission electron microscopy, histochemical staining, rapid immunoperoxidase staining of labile lymphocyte antigens, rapid fixation of large biopsy specimens, processing of renal biopsy specimens, microwave-stimulated fixation of reagents for cryostat sections, acceleration of decalcification, and improvement of sensitivity of immunohistochemical staining. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Microwave-assisted rapid tissue processing as a substitute for, or an adjunct method to, conventional tissue processing in the daily workload of high-volume diagnostic surgical pathology laboratories was not accepted until the early to mid 1990s.…”

Microwave-assisted antigen retrieval and incubation with cox-2 antibody of archival paraffin-embedded human oligodendroglioma and astrocytomas

“…This procedure found wide application and was often modified to accommodate specific requirements of different tissues or histopathological procedures. Today, these procedures are applied in a variety of histological protocols, such as, fixation, tissue processing, histochemical and immunohistochemical staining for light and electron microscopy, antigen retrieval, and molecular biology techniques (Ainley and Ironside, 1994;Cavusoglu et al, 1998;Giberson et al, 2003;Kahveci, 1993;Kahveci et al, 1997aKahveci et al, , 1997bKahveci et al, , 2003Kennedy and Foulis, 1989;Kok et al, 1988;Leong and Milios, 1993;Login and Dvorak, 1988;Minbay et al, 2001;Noyan et al, 2000).…”

Mechanisms of Action and Proper Use of Common Fixatives

“…These gained popularity with microwave fi xation 39,40 and have since been used for molecular studies. 41 The primary agent is alcohol (methanol or ethanol), with at least one other ingredient (usually a low molecular weight polymer of ethylene glycol) designed to prevent the severe shrinkage associated with simple alcohol fi xation.…”