title: Consistency of histomorphometric measurements of normal oral epithelium subjected to variations in routine tissue processing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of formalin fixation time on histomorphometry by changing the fixation time and the effect of the age of processing solutions on histomorphometry by processing tissues in solutions of varying ages.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study consisted of two parts. The first part examined the effect of formalin fixation time on histomorphometry by changing the fixation time. The second part looked at the the effect of the age of processing solutions on histomorphometry by processing tissues in solutions of different ages.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In first part of the study, cytoplasmic expansion was observed between 24 hours and 1 week of fixation, followed by shrinkage thereafter. The nuclear area showed progressive shrinkage from 24 hours to 1 month. In second part of the study, tissues processed in fresh solution showed more shrinkage than tissues processed in used solution.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is important to be aware of changes in histomorphometric values resulting from a variable fixation period and age of processing solutions. It is also important to standardize the histomorphometric procedure or take into account the effect of factors that influence morphometric values to minimize the errors due to the same.
authors: Department of Oral Pathology, J. K. K. Nataraja Dental College and Hospital, Komarapalayam, Tamil Nadu, and Educare Institute of Dental Sciences, Chattiparamba, Malappuram, Kerala, India. kirancapricorn@yahoo.com
authors: Kiran
authors: K
authors: Kumar
authors: M Ram
authors: MR
authors: Manohar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS) / Q000737:chemistry; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000737:chemistry*; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology; D006416:Hematoxylin / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009055:Mouth / Q000166:cytology; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology; D012015:Reference Standards; D016707:Tissue Fixation / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D005557:Formaldehyde; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D006416:Hematoxylin