Ojsadmin, 213
Ojsadmin, 213
Ojsadmin, 213
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Abstract
Histopathological examination is considered a gold standard procedure for reaching a final diagnosis of
various human body lesions. However, it is limited by a number of changes in normal morphological
and cytological characteristics that occur as a result of presence of artifacts. The purpose of preparing a
biological specimen for microscopic studies is to obtain sufficient and reliable diagnostic knowledge which
is a true representation of the specimen, whether it is for study or diagnosis. These objects may occur during
procedures for surgical removal, fixation, tissue processing, embedding, and microtomy, and staining and
mounting.They contribute to misinterpretation of the diagnosis of histopathology but often they bring the
limelight into the diagnosis. This article discusses the common artifacts which we commonly encountered
during slide examination
d) Fulguration artefacts
1252 Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, October-December 2020, Vol. 14, No. 4
5. Artifacts related to microtomy • The fibrous connective tissue, the fat and the
muscle can appear opaque and amorphous3.
a) Cutting artifacts
• The epithelium and the connective tissue exhibit
b) Moth eaten effect
an amorphous appearance due to protein coagulation3.
6. Artifact related to floatation and mounting:
SPLIT ARTIFACTS:
a) Prolonged floating
· This artefact can lead to a split between
b) Floater artifact epithelium and connective tissue, resulting in a false
impression of vesiculo – bullous lesions5.
Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, October-December 2020, Vol. 14, No. 4 1253
overstained cytoplasm and pyknotic nuclei3. • The preparation of paraffin wax, cellulose nitrate
and most embedded parts of synthetic resin requires
ARTIFACTS RELATED TO BONE TISSUE:
the use of fat solvent3. Thus, during the processing of
BONE DUST ARTIFACTS: adipose tissue, the fat can separate from fat cells and
appear as ovoid spaces enclosed by a cytoplasm surface.
· Undecalcified resin sections of bone when cut,
dust is produced3. Some of these fragments are deposited For example: lipoma and cholesterol clefts in
on the cut surfaces while others may be implanted more odontogenic cysts3..
deeply in the specimen. In hematoxylin and eosin‑stained
ARTIFACTS RELATED TO MICROTOMY:
sections, it stains strongly with hematoxylin3. When
deposited in bone marrow, it stains black with von kossa, CUTTING ARTIFACTS:
indicating its origin from calcified trabecular matrix3.
• Split line in tissue segment in microtome knife due
OVER DECALCIFICATION: to nick6.
· Overdecalcified sections stain strongly with • Tissue compression due to blend microtome knife6.
eosin and show a marked loss of nuclear basophilia.
• Chatter artefact due to knife edge vibrations, knife
Nuclear and cytoplasmic features is poorly preserved3.
or block holder loosening and extreme steep clearance
INCOMPLETE DECALCIFICATION: angle6.
· Bony trabeculae stain strongly with hematoxylin • If the tissue is tangentially cut, the connective tissue
and the adjacent soft tissue is severely disrupted3. cores can become entangled in the epithelium, giving a
false impression of invasive squamous cell carcinoma3.
ARTIFACTS DURING PROCESSING AND
EMBEDDING: MOTH EATEN- EFFECT: