J Clin Path 1988;41:590-593 Microwave irradiation of human brain tissue: production of microscopic slides within one day

SUMMARY A three step method using microwave irradiation enabled microscopic slides of human brain tissue to be obtained within one working day: steps 1 and 2 hardened and solidified brain tissue; step 3 completed formalin fixation. The efficacy and precision ofthe method was compared with slides of conventionally processed brain tissue that had been fixed in formalin for six weeks. The microscopic quality of the sections was excellent with good presentation of brain tissue and equalled that of conventionally processed slides. In many pathology laboratories brains removed at necropsy are suspended in 10 % buffered formalin and fixed for at least six weeks. Unfixed brain tissue is soft and delicate, requiring careful handling. The cerebrum is therefore only cut after fixation.1 To shorten fixation time (from six to three weeks) perfusion with formalin is sometimes carried out.2 If, due to time pressure, the brain has to be sectioned before it can be hardened by the fixative, very thick slices must be cut with grea