Comparing the efficacy of xylene and kerosene oil as a clearing agent during processing and staining in histopathology

Abstract

Aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of kerosene oil as a clearing agent for tissue processing, haematoxylin & Eosin stains in contrast with traditionally used xylene. The study was conducted using three types of clearing agents xylene, kerosene and mixture of xylene kerosene oil in the ratio 50:50. Hundred cases of biopsies for each clearing agent were compared on the basis of ribboning, thin section, section cutting, nuclear staining, cytoplasmic staining, differential staining, clarity and uniformity of the tissue sections. Biopsy specimen was received in the Department of Pathology G.G.S Medical College and Hospital. The investigation of all cases was compared by using the routine method of histopathology lab. Results related to the tissue processing, section cutting and staining were obtained after the microscopy investigation by the residents. The xylene processed tissue produced better thin sections and ribboning during section cutting than those processed in mixture of kerosene and xylene and kerosene alone being the least suitable agent in case of thin section cutting. The nuclear staining, cytoplasmic staining and Differential were better processed in xylene than those processed in mixture of kerosene and xylene and kerosene alone. The clarity and uniformity was not satisfactory by using the mixture of kerosene and xylene while kerosene alone than xylene processed tissues.