title: Prostate Biopsy Core Handling: Comparison of Contemporary Preembedding Methods.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The probability of prostate cancer detection is related to the amount of tissue represented. For optimal tissue representation, the specimens should preserve their regular cylindrical shape and avoid artefacts and deformation caused by fixation and preembedding. The aim of our study was to compare contemporary preembedding methods including a new method of using thick cardboard.
  
  
  METHODS
  To compare the preembedding methods, we took 36 nonfragmented cores from fresh prostatectomy specimens for each method, fixed them in formalin and made histological slides. The comparison criteria were a core section area in the middle section and the number of fragments per core after processing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two methods (preembedding on the edge of thick cardboard and on biplicated paper) provided a bigger section area of specimens. The differences in amounts of fragments were very small among the methods mentioned above and the preembedding glass with grooves, but preembedding between two sponges in a histological cassette showed higher fragmentation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preembedding on the edge of thick cardboard and on biplicated paper can be recommended as effective methods of prostate biopsy core fixation. Paper or cardboard for fixation of prostate biopsy cores should be presoaked with formalin or normal saline.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Academic Hospital Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexey E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Pryalukhin
authors.forename: Alkuin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vandromme
authors.forename: Ansgar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dellmann
authors.forename: Konrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Donhuijsen
authors.forename: Peter G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Hammerer
mesh_terms: D062005:Biopsy, Large-Core Needle / Q000379:methods*; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000737:chemistry; D005898:Glass; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D010209:Paper; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology*; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D014021:Tissue Preservation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D005557:Formaldehyde