A simple method of preparing 1–2 μm sections of large tissue blocks using glycol methacrylate

Abstract

SUMMARY The method described allows the production of 1–2 μm sections of large tissue blocks. Sections can be obtained from conventional routine histological microtomes. The hydroxyethyl methacrylate is compatible with a wide range of fixatives and a variety of standard histological staining techniques may be applied. Small biopsies, e.g. renal, liver, jejunal etc., can be processed cut and stained within 24 h of receipt. Blocks and stained sections show no apparent deterioration over the 4 years in which the technique has been employed in this laboratory.