Aligning histological serial sections for three-dimensional reconstruction using an excimer laser beam.
Accurate alignment of histological sections has always been a fundamental problem in the three-dimensional reconstruction of tissue structures from serial sections. An excimer laser was used to create small holes in paraffin processed colorectal tissue blocks. The laser holes were 200-230 microns in diameter and penetrated the tissue approximately 0.5 mm. No damage was caused to the surrounding tissue. Using a VIDAS image analyser, these microscopic holes could be used as artificial reference points (ARPs) for the accurate alignment of consecutive serial sections and three-dimensional reconstruction of colorectal glandular tissue.
Department of Pathology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, N. Ireland.
G E
GE
Clarke
P W
PW
Hamilton
W A
WA
Montgomery
D003106:Colon / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006652:Histological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007834:Lasers; D012007:Rectum / Q000033:anatomy & histology