A method of processing small biopsy specimens embedded in paraffin using xylene

The method proposed for the processing of gastrobiopsies is as follows: 30-40 min in solution I (seventy per cent 96% ethyl alcohol and 30% of turpentine), then 30-40 min in solution II (100 parts of turpentine, 5 parts of balzam and 8 parts of castor oil), 4 portions of melted paraffin for 7.5-10 min in each portion. Small biopsies (up to 5 mm in diameter) are treated in the same way but till 3 hrs in solution I, 6-8 hrs in solution II and 30 min in each portion of paraffin. For an instant processing of biopsies of operation and autopsy material the basic solution is prepared: 1000 ml of xylene, 100-120 g of balzam, 150 ml of ol. ricini. The material is treated in two portions of ethyl alcohol (30-150 min in each portion); two portions of mixture A; 80% of acetone and 20% of the basic solution), 3 hrs in each portion; two portions of mixture B (20% of acetone and 80% of basic solution), 2 hrs in each portion; and in 6 portions of melted paraffin, 30 min in each portion. The technique provides good results for the processing of small biopsies from other organs.