Histology Assignment: Specimen Preparation, Diagnosis, and Tests

This histology assignment explores the critical steps in preparing specimens for microscopic examination, emphasizing the importance of fixation and the different methods employed. It delves into various diagnostic tests, including cytology and biopsy, highlighting their roles in identifying underlying conditions and complementing histopathology procedures. The assignment also discusses the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining method, a fundamental technique in histopathology, and other staining methods used for further examination. Furthermore, it touches upon non-histological tests, such as radiological studies and MRI, that can aid in diagnosing chronic diseases, and it defines provisional and differential diagnoses in a clinical context. The assignment draws upon the provided references to support the key concepts discussed.

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Running Head: Histology
Histology
Institution
Lecturer
Student
Course
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Question One
The specimens are delicate items and there are handled with care with minimal errors because
any of the above could lead in misleading and fatal results. The specimen has to go through the
preparation section and given the fact that tissues are very delicate; cutting them into thin
sections could be impossible task. The specimen usually needs preservation or to be “fixed”
before sections are prepared. This can be done through two different ways, whereby the tissues
can be rapidly frozen while the sections sliced using a cryostat microtome in the freezing
chamber. Alternatively, the specimen can be dipped into a liquid agent with properties of turning
into a solid state for thin sections to be cut from it (Kemal, 2014).
Upon receiving the specimen, then fixation is the crucial stage that follows in the laboratory.
Fixation is a critical stage when it comes to preparing specimens for microscopic examination. It
helps in preserving the specimen by protecting it from the decay. It kills all the microorganisms
responsible for decay and keeps the specimen in a hardened state with enough molecular
structure for the subsequent necessary staining procedures to be applied.
The specimen then has to go through the grossing process. And here, the process involves a
comprehensive examination and analysis of the specimen characteristics including their physical
appearance, their size and the dimension as well as the number of the pieces of the specimen.
Larger specimens in some instances require further dissecting into smaller appropriate sections.
Furthermore, the specimen would go through the processing stage for paraffin section using the
tissue processors. The tissue processors allow the specimen to be infiltrated by a variety of
liquids which in the end results in the finishes in the molten state paraffin wax. Then later on
after the processing, the specimen goes through an embedding centre where they are extracted
from their cassettes and put inside molds filled with wax (Rolls, n.d.).

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Then the specimen goes through section. At this stage, the sections of the specimen are cut in
precision sizes using a microtome instrument, with very fine metallic blades. The sections of the
specimen are then placed afloat on the surface of the warm water and the place into microscopic
slides and after extensive drying; they are then ready for the staining process.
The staining process is necessary for revealing the structural information of the specimen when
using bright field microscopy. Most specimens apart from having a few natural pigments like the
melanin; most cells and other components that constitutes of the specimen do not have specific
colors. In histopathology, the frequently used stain universally as a basic primary point in
providing the structural details about the specimen is the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain.
Question two
There are various tests that could be undertaken to assist in the diagnosis of the patient’s
condition. These tests can either be cytology examination or the biopsy tests. Cytology tests
involve the process whereby the doctor examines the cells from the body under the microscope
to determine any underlying conditions (Mandal, n.d.).
Cytology is a quick test that determines the existence of the common infections, inflammatory
disease of the urinary tract, cancer among others. These examinations do not completely identify
illness conditions such as cancer and also it cannot be used to base a medical conclusion about
the absence of a disease. The cytology process is different from the biopsy whereby, it deals with
examining individual cells rather than elements of tissues found in a lot of cell clusters.
The other significant test that could rapidly help in the diagnosis of the disease is the biopsy.
Biopsy is the process of diagnosing diseases whereby a doctor removes parts of the body tissues
to be examined by a pathologist under a microscope within a laboratory.

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There are several types of biopsy, and establishing the most appropriate one for your patient is
necessary. These types include excisional biopsy which involves a whole affected area being
surgically removed. It could also be the incisional biopsy which involves a sample of a tissue for
examination. Biopsy is an important test in examining the health condition of the patient and
provides an insight of underlying medical problem, although further comprehensive tests are
necessary before arriving to conclusion on the condition of illness of the patient.
The cytology and biopsy tests are an important diagnostic process that can complement the
histopathology diagnostic of chronic conditions such as cancer and other troublesome diseases as
they employ different techniques that can be used to gain necessary clinical information in the
context of diagnostic procedures.
The significance of the two procedures in complementing other histopathology procedures is
invaluable as they assist in the diagnosis of different conditions within the patients, and provide
the basis for further clinical tests.
Question three
Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) stain is the commonly used staining method in histopathology. The
staining procedure uses a combination of two dyes that is, hematoxylin and eosin. They
demonstrate the nucleus and the cytoplasmic involvement in the clinical specimens. The baseline
principle in this staining process is that the alum will operate in a position of a mordant and the
nucleus is stained light blue by the hematoxylin which contains alum.
The results of the HE stain produce blue and black nuclei, a pink cytoplasm, muscle fibers with a
deep red color, the red blood cells are orange red in color, and finally, the fibrin is deep pink
color. Many clinical conditions can be diagnosed in histopathology by the close study of
hematoxylin and eosin alone.

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However, in the event whereby additional information is required for the further examination
tests in the laboratory, then other staining techniques might be used. These may consist of special
stain that contains dyes that define specific structures or other micro-organisms with the
involvement of the position of the diagnostically important proteins with aid of marked
antibodies.
Question Four
Some non histological tests could also provide good diagnostic grounds for the clinicians. They
can offer an alternative way in helping the laboratory tests of the chronic diseases. Radiological
studies are a good basis for the testing and establishing liver problems. CT-scans can be used to
look deeper into tissues to provide crucial details about the liver and provide diagnosis grounds.
Secondly, the use of Ultra sonogram (USG), of the abdomen whereby the clinician utilizes the
wave of the sounds to establish important liver pathology and it is a noninvasive method of
diagnosis. Additionally, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), provides a clear imaging study into
the internal body tissues and offers great diagnosis environment for detection of abnormal
conditions in body tissues like the liver.
Question Five
The diagnosis means that the doctor is not 100% sure of the outcomes after the diagnosis and
based on the information he/she has, they make an educated guess about the possible diagnosis.
The clinical notes on Ferritin at 2,355, and total body iron content at 20grams meant that this was
provisional, as the specific condition had not been established. Likewise, Differential diagnosis
means that you have more than one possibility for the outcomes of your diagnosis and the doctor
must clearly differentiate the two to come up with an actual diagnosis. Lethargy, loss of sex drive
and abdominal pain can all be caused by varied conditions (Shimelpfening & Gans, 2017).

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References
Kemal, J. (2014). Laboratory Manual and Review on Clinical Pathology. OMICS Group eBooks .
Mandal, A. (n.d.). Liver disease diagnosis. News Medical: Life Sciences. Available at:
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Liver-disease-diagnosis.aspx
Rolls, G. (n.d.). An Introduction to Specimen Preparation. Advancing Cancer Diagnostics
Improving Lives . Available at http://www.leicabiosystems.com/pathologyleaders/an-
introduction-to-specimen-preparation/
Shimelpfening, N., & Gans, S. (2017). The Difference Between Provisional and Differential
Diagnosis. Very Well. Avaialable at: https://www.verywell.com/provisional-diagnosis-vs-
differential-diagnosis-1067284