Course Outline
Click on the links below to preview selected pages from this course.
- Introduction
- Before Cutting a Recut
- Familiarize Yourself with the Microtome
- Chuck Adjustment Screws: Function and Application
- Specimen Holder/Chuck Placement
- Scoring Tissue Blocks to Facilitate Ribbon Formation
- Monitoring Section Thickness Settings for Recuts
- What is the primary function of the microtome’s chuck adjustment screws during recuts?
- What is the main purpose of scoring the edges of a paraffin block before sectioning?
- What is the standard section thickness for most H&E recuts?
- What is the main function of the microtome’s “section” mode?
- Techniques for Specific Recuts
- Techniques for Superficial and Serial Sections
- Superficial and Serial Sections: Definitions and Techniques
- Managing Moisture in Previously Cut Tissue Blocks for Superficial and Serial Section Recuts
- Aligning the Tissue Block to the Microtome Blade for Superficial and Serial Section Recuts
- Superficial and Serial Sectioning Technique
- What is a superficial section in histology?
- What do serial sections refer to in histology?
- What is the main risk of cutting too deeply into a tissue block when a superficial recut is requested?
- What is the best way to restore moisture to a previously cut tissue block before recutting?
- Techniques for Levels and Deeper Sections
- Levels and Deeper Sections in Histology
- Key Considerations of Levels and Deeper Sections
- What is a “level” in the context of recuts?
- What is the best way to ensure you do not remove diagnostically important tissue during recuts?
- What is the main reason for using deeper levels in recuts?
- Techniques for Cut-Through in Histology
- Cut-Through Recuts
- Techniques for Cut-Through Sectioning
- What is a cut-through section?
- Why is it essential to follow the pathologist’s instructions exactly when preparing recuts?
- Importance of Recut Techniques
- References
Additional Information
Level of Instruction: Basic
Intended Audience: This course is designed for
professionals working in the field of anatomic pathology, specifically histotechnicians,
histotechnologists, and pathology assistants. This course is also appropriate for HT, HTL, and PA students and
pathology residents.
Author Information: Erika Caceres BS, HTL(ASCP), has nearly eight years of experience as a histotechnologist, progressing from bench technician to pathology supervisor. She has expertise in tissue preparation, staining, and advanced histological techniques, including immunohistochemistry. Her leadership roles at Atrium Health involved directing workflow, optimizing antibodies, and ensuring compliance with CAP and CLIA regulations. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Queens University of Charlotte, where she focused on microbiology and cell biology, followed by completing her Histotechnology training at Carolinas College of Health Sciences.
The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.
Reviewer Information: Kristen Meyer, BS, HTL(ASCP), QIHC(ASCP), is the Manager of Anatomic Pathology Services for Kaiser Permanente in Portland, OR. She graduated from Tulane University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Upon graduation, she began working in a hospital as a clinical lab assistant, and from there became interested in Histotechnology after observing gross dissections of specimens in the Pathology department. Since then, she has worked in the Histopathology field for over 20 years in various roles, including Histotechnologist, Technical Specialist, Supervisor, and Manager.
