XYLENE SUBSTITUTES IN FROZEN-SECTIONS

BACKGROUND. Toxic exposure to xylene may occur during routine histopat hologic staining procedures. Safer xylene substitutes have been availa ble for over a decade, however, a 1991 survey of 25 Mohs training prog rams revealed that only 56% were using xylene substitutes. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to compare xylene to xylene substitutes in the histologic preparation of frozen sections with respect to stain ing quality clarity cellular detail, and tissue distortion. METHODS. X ylene and xylene substitutes were used as the final clearing agent in the routine histologic preparation of fresh frozen horizontal sections . The slides were evaluated by a dermatopathologist and a Mohs surgeon in a blinded manner. RESULTS. No difference between xylene and the xy lene substitutes were noted. CONCLUSION. In light of the improved safe ty profile and efficacy of the xylene substitutes, they should replace xylene in the Mohs laboratory.