Histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques on acrylate embedded bone biopsies.

Till present the advantages of methacrylate embedded bone biopsies for the diagnosis of haemoblastic disorders have been somewhat restricted. This was a result of the impossibility to apply histochemical methods and other sensitive staining procedures to semithin sections. A routine method is described whereby enzyme activity, excellent fixation and good sectioning ability are retained. Fixation is carried out using 4% purified formaldehyde buffered in 0.1M sodium cacodylate. Dehydration is done with a water-miscible glycolmethacrylate. Naphthol-AS-D-chloroacetate esterase activity can be observed in granules of the entire neutropil cell lineage. By use of this method it becomes possible to demonstrate acid phosphatase activity and immunoglobulins in atypical plasma cells of multiple myeloma. A considerable decrease in processing time, as well as a preservation of enzyme activity during the postal mailing of fixed tissue samples from outside are further advantages.