Freida L. Carson, PhD, HT(ASCP)
Department of Pathology (retired), Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX

Christa Hladik, AA, HT(ASCP)^cm, QIHC
Neuropathology and Immunohistochemistry, UT Southwestern Clinical Laboratories, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, TX

Keywords: troubleshooting, processing protocol, embedding, decalcification

Upon completion of this activity, you will be able to:

• define cross-section, decalcification, ion exchange, and chelating agent.
• state the appropriate processing method or medium for enzymehistochemistry, undecalcified bone and fat demonstration.
• identify 2 means of decreasing processing time when using paraffin.
• identify at least 3 paraffin-processing errors and describe the method of correction for each error.
• relate rapid chilling of paraffin to crystal size.
• state at least two ways that specimen orientation can be indicated during gross dissection to ensure proper embedding.
• briefly describe the methods of decalcification for simple acid, ion-exchange resin, electrolytic, and chelation.