Aligning histological serial sections for three-dimensional reconstruction using an excimer laser beam.

Accurate alignment of histological sections has always been a fundamental problem in the three-dimensional reconstruction of tissue structures from serial sections. An excimer laser was used to create small holes in paraffin processed colorectal tissue blocks. The laser holes were 200-230 microns in diameter and penetrated the tissue approximately 0.5 mm. No damage was caused to the surrounding tissue. Using a VIDAS image analyser, these microscopic holes could be used as artificial reference points (ARPs) for the accurate alignment of consecutive serial sections and three-dimensional reconstruction of colorectal glandular tissue.