Monsel's Artifact in Gynecologic Biopsies: A Simple Remedy

Authors: Schlosshauer, Peter W.; Chen, Wei; Chanderdatt, David; Antonio, Lilian B.

Source: Journal of Histotechnology, Number 3, September 2005 , pp. 161-162(2)

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Abstract:

Occasional cervical biopsies and endocervical curettage specimens show a dark-brown artifactual discoloration that may compromise diagnostic evaluation. In this work, we sought to identify the cause of this artifact and find a remedy. Positive and negative controls on test tissue were used to identify Monel's solution (20% ferric subsulfate) as a causative agent Ped's iron stain was used to confirm the presence of iron. Thirty affected specimens were subjected to a restitution treatment, i.e., incubation in 0.5% hydrochIoric acid in 70% ethanol at 60°C for 1 h. With this restitution treatment, Monsel's artifact could be removed or significant1y reduced in all cases of our series. Our restitution treatment can be used to restore diagnostic evaluability of biopsy specimens that carry a Monsel's solution-induced pigmeated artifact. (The J Histotechnol 28:161, 2005)

Submitted April 15, 2005; accepted with revisions June 20, 2005

Keywords: cervical biopsies; staining artifact; restitution treatment; Monsel's solution

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/014788805794775235

Publication date: 2005-09-01

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