Alternative method of rapid drying vascular specimens for scanning electron microscopy.
OBJECTIVE
To report the use of hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) as an alternative to critical point drying for preparing stented canine peripheral vessels for scanning electron microscopy (SEM).


METHODS
Vascular specimens were fixed in 4% formaldehyde overnight, dehydrated in a graded ethanol series, followed by immersion in 100% hexamethyldisilazane. After air drying, the specimens were mounted on stainless steel stubs, coated with gold, and examined in the SEM. The electron micrographs were of high quality, showing the layers of the vascular wall and the incorporated stent covered by a neointimal layer. The micrographs were comparable to corresponding histological sections, but detailed endothelial patterns were more visible.


CONCLUSIONS
HMDS treatment and subsequent air drying provides good quality scanning electron micrographs that reveal both endothelial patterns and the layered architecture of stented vessels. The disadvantage of HMDS drying may be a shrinkage and distortion similar to other drying agents. Ease of handling, low cost, and a high rate of success are advantages that favor HMDS desiccation over other drying methods.
Slízová
Dása
D
Department of Anatomy, Medical Faculty in Hradec Králové, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. slizova@lfhk.cuni.cz
Krs
Otakar
O
Pospísilová
Blanka
B
D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels; D004285:Dogs; D005404:Fixatives; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D017646:Organosilicon Compounds; D013997:Time Factors; D016707:Tissue Fixation / Q000379:methods*
D005404:Fixatives; D017646:Organosilicon Compounds; C024548:hexamethylsilazane