FAQ: Possible Problems on Cryosectioning
General Questions
   
01.   What are “frozen” sections?
    Unfixed, or fixed tissue can be frozen and sectioned using a microtome enclosed in a cold cabinet more commonly known as a cryostat. The sections that are prepared are referred to as “frozen” or “quick” sections; the latter term is used to read more ...
02.   What are the reasons for using cryotechniques?
   
  1. Rapid interoperative consultations and diagnosis.
  2. Preservation of enzyme activity for enzyme histochemistry and antigenicity for immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.
    3. Retention of substances that are soluble read more ...
03.   What are the key factors necessary for producing high quality frozen sections?
   
  1. Selecting the optimum temperature for the specific tissue being sectioned.
  2. Making certain that the cryostat maintains the set temperature for the cabinet and specimen.
  3. Trimming the specimen to a size and shape read more ...
04.   How do I ensure that specimens are well frozen?
    There are a variety of methods that can be successfully used for freezing various types of specimens and the best techniques are often determined by trial and error. Here are two basic methods that can be used to obtain good specimen freezi read more ...
05.   What would cause a frozen section to be inferior to a paraffin section?
   
  1. Slow, poor freezing produces large hexagonal ice-crystals within the tissue that can damage insoluble structural elements and cause displacement of water-soluble components.
  2. Melting ice from mounting the frozen section on a read more ...