Abstract
The essence of preparing a biological specimen for microscopic studies is to get adequate and accurate medical information that is a true representation of the specimen, be it for research or diagnostic purposes. An artifact can be defined as unrelated, self-colored artificial feature found in tissue sections. This has been an age long cause of misinterpretation leading to misdiagnosis to microscopists. The processing of specimen for medical information is subject to a procedure that results in a tissue fit for diagnosis and interpretation. The procedures themselves are subject to human and material errors and the result is an artifact that in the least may interfere with adequate diagnosis or at the most render the tissue so distorted as to be undiagnosable. The need to recognize these artifacts and attempt to overcome them is the single biggest challenge in the histopathology Laboratory. This article focused on identifying artifacts and their potential cause so that misinterpretation and difficulty in diagnosis can be overcome, and help microscopist to come into definite diagnosis. Keywords: Artifacts, Histopathologist, Microscopist, Diagnosis
Highlights
Artifact can be defined as unrelated, self-colored artificial features found in tissue sections (Avwioro, 2014)
This article is to promote an awareness of the various common artifacts which may be encountered in histopathology, to provide a guide for their recognition, to explain their causes and to suggest where possible, the means by which their occurrence can be avoided
SUMMARY The processing of specimen for adequate medical information is subject to a procedural protocol that results in a tissue fit for diagnosis and interpretation
Summary
Artifact can be defined as unrelated, self-colored artificial features found in tissue sections (Avwioro, 2014) They occur in tissue sections before fixation, during fixation, grossing of specimen, tissue processing, sectioning, staining and preservation of tissue section. Ficarra et al, (1987), Margarine et al (1985) These artifacts can be minor, involving only small portion of the specimen and do not interfere with the pathologists’ ability to provide an accurate diagnosis. Contaminants can be introduced into tissues during surgery or whilst handling prior to, or during specimen dissection This type of artifact can only be avoided by ensuring that those involved are fully aware of the consequences of allowing a specimen to become contaminated or otherwise damaged
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