A method of restoration and preservation of mounted anatomical pathology specimens

ABSTRACT

Big hospitals and biology museums often have a sizable collection of valuable archived anatomical pathology specimens, collected over a long period of time. Traditionally, these specimens are suspended by thread tied to a frame of glass rods in a rectangular glass jar. While restoring with preserving solution, specimens often fell from sewn thread or strings. We developed an easy method of remounting such specimens on Perspex sheets with cyanoacrylate adhesive. This technique was tested on five archived specimens and five recent well-fixed specimens, including brain. Specimens could be easily oriented, remounted and remained well adhered to the Perspex sheet. Gross pathologic characteristics could be well illustrated from all sides in the remounted specimen. Cyanoacrylate adhesive technique was useful in permanent preservation of old delicate anatomical pathology specimens, which could not be tied to glass rods again and had fallen out of position in mounting jars. This technique can also be applied for well-fixed recent specimens. It is easy, cost effective, serves as an educational tool and can be applied to all types of specimens.

KEYWORDS:

• Anatomical pathology specimens
• remounting
• preservation
• Perspex sheets
• Cyanoacrylate adhesive

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank technicians, Ms. Sonali Dalvi, Ms. Darshana Kadam, Ms. Priya Chavan and medical artist, Mr. Nilesh Ganthade, Tata Memorial Hospital for their help.

Disclosure statement

The Authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The authors did not receive any financial support for this work and for writing of the article.