An assessment of decoverslipping methods on histology slides

• Published in: Journal of histotechnology Vol. 42; no. 2; pp. 64 - 67
• Main Authors: Cozma, Kelly, Henwood, Anthony
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 03.04.2019
• Subjects: Coverslip removal; decoverslipping techniques; Hematoxylin and eosin(H&E); histology techniques; liquid nitrogen; restaining; ultrasonicator; xylene
• ISSN: 0147-8885; 2046-0236
• DOI: 10.1080/01478885.2019.1578471

Histology laboratories are often required to decoverslip and restain older slides when the original staining on the section has faded or the mountant used for coverslipping has caused discoloration on the section. The current method of decoverslipping is time-consuming and three possible techniques for rapid coverslip removal have been compared for use in histopathology laboratories. Slides aged between 14 and 22 years were randomly selected to have their coverslip removed by liquid nitrogen, ultrasonic vibration, or freezing at −80°C. Both liquid nitrogen and −80°C cooling required a microtome blade to pry the coverslip from the slide following the rapid freezing. Liquid nitrogen and ultrasonic vibrations were both deemed unacceptable options for histological use due to cracking of the slide and loss of tissue. The cooling of slides in a −80°C freezer for 5-10 minutes had no tissue loss and the histological morphology remained intact. Therefore, freezing slides in a −80°C freezer is a suitable alternative from the commonly used xylene immersion removal.