Intraoperative microwave processing of bone margins during resection of head and neck cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To develop an accurate method for performing histopathologic analysis for a full cross-section of cortical bone within 2 to 3 hours.


METHODS
Microwave technology was used to augment and to more rapidly perform fixation and decalcification of cortical bone.


RESULTS
Using the methods described, slides suitable for histopathologic analyses regarding the presence or absence of malignant tumor were prepared in 2 to 3 hours and, in 10 patients studied, had a 100% correlation with slides prepared in 7 days using the standard decalcification technique.


CONCLUSIONS
Microwave technology allows accurate assessment of a full cross-section of cortical bone regarding the presence or absence of malignant tumor within the time limits required for resection of a malignant head and neck tumor and reconstruction of the surgical defect.
Weisberger
E C
EC
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University Medical Center, 702 Barnhill Dr, Suite 0860, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
Hilburn
M
M
Johnson
B
B
Nguyen
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003648:Decalcification Technique; D005260:Female; D006652:Histological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008437:Maxilla / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008872:Microwaves; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D016707:Tissue Fixation