Plastic embedding of bone marrow trephine biopsies for routine immunohistochemistry and diagnosis: our developments, updates and experiences over 20 years

Abstract

Bone marrow trephine specimens are routinely examined for the histological investigation and diagnosis of lymphoma and other disorders. To achieve this, biopsies are usually fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin wax for subsequent tinctorial and, often, immunohistochemical staining. However, in this review the authors report the historical developments of immunohistochemical staining on plastic sections, and, in particular, our own developments and updates during the last 20 years of using a plastic embedding procedure for the routine reporting of over 50,000 bone marrow trephines. Many evolutionary changes during this period have occurred to provide a simple technique for the successful and excellent demonstration of numerous cellular antigens. While the volume of work and experience relating to immunohistochemistry on plastic-embedded tissue is, the authors we believe, unique, the review also present why the current procedure may revert to use of paraffin wax in the future.

Keywords:

• Bone marrow
• Immunohistochemistry
• Methyl methacrylate
• Plastic embedding
• Resin embedding

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the many staff that have worked in the HMDS at Leeds who have contributed to the development and evolution of tinctorial and immunohistochemical techniques on plastic-embedded tissue during the last 20 years. In particular, special thanks to consultant pathologist and former Head of Department Dr Andrew Jack for his support and encouragement while leading the reporting and diagnosis of bone marrow trephine biopsies.