Decalcified Bone: Twenty Years of Successful Specimen Management

Abstract

Producing quality slides of paraffin embedded, decalcified bone depends on the interaction of several independent mechanisms that all must work in concert. Grossing, fixation, decalcification, processing, embedding, sectioning, and staining each comprise a unique procedure when examining the quality of a slide. A system that integrates all these concepts in a proven workable formula is essential for specimen management and necessary for greater reproducibility. A thorough understanding of each of the component concepts is necessary to tailor the system to a variety of hard tissue types and specimens. (The J Histotechnol 20:267, 1997)