Selective Demonstration of Elastin, Reticulum and Collagen by Silver, Orcein and Aniline Blue

Abstract

A modification of the method of Lewis and Jones clearly and selectively demonstrates elastin, reticulum, and collagen in the same section. The technique combines ammoniacal silver carbonate, orcein in acid alcohol, and aniline blue following phosphomolybdic acid. Vascular invasion and capsular infiltration caused by carcinoma and degenerative diseases of connective tissues and blood vessels are shown very clearly. Diagnosis is thus facilitated in both surgical and postmortem pathology.