Use of Heat to Improve Connective Tissue Stains: Modifications of Masson,Movat, and Fibrin Stains

Abstract

Three connective tissue methods are presented: modifications of Masson trichrome, Movat pentachrome and a fibrin method. A modified Verhoeff hematoxylin preheated and applied in the 60°C paraffin oven was used for all methods. The Movat pentachrome modification additionally included staining with alcian blue before application of Verhoeff hematoxylin, and the fibrin method was stained with lissamine fast yellow before application of the working red stain. All sections were stained with a working dilution of Biebrich scarlet and acid fuchsin, rinsed, and differentiated with phosphotungstic acid in a 60°C paraffin oven. Demonstration of collagen in the modifications of Masson and fibrin was done with either light green or aniline blue; saffron was used in the Movat pentachrome.

All 3 techniques were improved in quality and precision with the aid of heat. Although fibrin was demonstrated in all techniques, minute quantities were better seen in the fibrin stain because the red cells were stained in a different color. These modified stains demonstrated several entities in a single slide preparation in about 20 min. (The J Histotechnol 16:349, 1993)