Differentiation of Bone and Soft Tissue Using Methylene Blue - Acid Fuchsin: a New Stain Combination
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Introduction
Hematoxylin-Eosin(H-E) provides optimal staining for histology, but in formalin-fixed, decalcified, paraffinembedded bone tissue, both bone and soft tissue appear the same shade of pink. In addition to the improved staining properties, the methylene blue-acid fuchsin stain is also superior to H-E in terms of its stability, cost and ease of use.
Aim & Objectives
To determine the efficacy of methylene blue-acid fuchsin stain combination to differentiate mineralized structures from surrounding soft tissues in various oral lesions.
Material & Methods
Two sections each of peripheral cemento-ossifying fibroma, central cemento-ossifying fibroma, fibroma with calcification, fibrous dysplasia, adenomatoid odontogenic tumour and pleomorphic adenoma were taken. One section was stained with hematoxylin-eosin and the other with methylene blue-acid fuchsin.
Results & Conclusion
In contrast to standard hematoxylin-eosin stain, which stains both bone and soft tissues pink, the methylene blue-acid fuchsin stain combination demonstrates remarkable contrast with bone appearing bright pink and the soft tissue blue-purple.
Keywords
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- Rider KA, Flick LM. Differentiation of bone and soft tissues in formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue by using methylene blue/ acid fuchsin stain. Ana Quant Cytol Histo 2004; 26 (5): 246-248
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