Preparation of Paraffin Blocks and Sections Containing Multiple Tissue Samples Using a Skin Biopsy Punch

Abstract

A method is described for the preparation of paraffin blocks containing multiple individual tissue samples by use of a commercially available skin biopsy punch. Cylindrical cores are cut from selected regions of paraffin blocks containing various tissues of interest for use in a variety of immunocytochemical techniques. From 12 to 40 separate cores are combined and reembedded in one paraffin block from which hundreds of nearly identical serial sections can be cut. This method departs from previously reported techniques for preparing blocks containing multiple tissue samples in that the samples are much larger, from 3 to 6 mm in diameter, which effectively eliminates false-negative immunocytochemical staining results. In addition, the core samples are organized within the blocks in a rectangular grid-like arrangement that enables easy microscopic identification of individual samples on stained sections. (The J Histotechnol 13:121, 1990)