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: decalcification, underdecalcification, overdecalcification, frozen section, troubleshooting processing

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

• describe the methods for determining the endpoint of decalcification.
• identify methods for increasing the rate of the decalcification reaction.
• state the effects of overdecalcification and underdecalcification on calcified tissue sections.
• state the effects of decalcification on fixed and unfixed tissue.
• describe a method of handling paraffin tissue when areas of calcification are discovered during microtomy.
• identify 3 methods of freezing tissue in preparation for cutting frozen sections, and indicate which procedure should be used for skeletal muscle enzyme studies.