Artifacts in histology: A 1-year retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction: Histology is a science of the analysis of tissue architecture; however, the presence of artifacts in microscopic sections may result in misdiagnosis. Despite documented common occurrences, studies on the patterns of artifacts in Nigeria are however scant. The rarity of descriptions in this clumsy but important component of histology stimulated our interest in demonstrating the various patterns of artifacts in a laboratory. This 1-year retrospective study was conducted in Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State. Materials and Methods: Tissue sections were viewed and with the aid of a microscope to check for the various patterns of artifacts. These artifacts were seen as artificial structures or tissue alternations on the prepared slide. Histological images were captured using eyepiece Scopetek DCM 500, 5.0 Megapixel connected USB 2.0 computer. Data were obtained by standard microscopic techniques in which the various patterns of tissue alterations were described. Permission for this study was obtained from the hospital Ethics Committee (ethical number FMC/ASB/T/A81/198). Results: This review of patterns of artifacts showed that during the 1-year period, of the 388 slides reviewed, 94.59% had the presence of artifacts. The results also revealed that fold artifacts were the most prevalent patterns constituting about 33.00% of the total tissue sections observed, followed by artifacts attributed to microtomy which accounted for 18.47% and formalin pigment artifacts, 14.78%. The least was heat and hemorrhagic artifacts which contributed to about 0.25%. Conclusion: In conclusion, fold artifacts were the most prevalent patterns observed in this study due to the thin sections which easily stretch around other structures having different constituencies if the tissue is not carefully lifted from the water bath.