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Isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate (bucrylate) is commonly used as a material for therapeutic embolization. Histologic sections of embolized tissue routinely stained with hematoxylin-eosin show the bucrylate as a translucent material. We outline a staining procedure that demonstrates bucrylate in tissue sections. It is useful in routinely prepared paraffin-embedded tissue, and it is also effective after embolized tissues have been processed with petroleum ether rather than xylene. This stain may be effectively utilized to assess harmful tissue reactions to bucrylate.

When two disposable serological pipettes with an external diameter of 1 cm are placed on the cutting surface on either side of the brain and the knife rides across them, it will cut even slices precisely 1 cm thick. Both coronal and horizontal slices can be cut as well as oblique slices for comparison with computerized tomographic scan roentgenograms although for the latter the initial cut will have to be made freehand. For practical purposes, brain slices obtained by this simple technique are as good as those made with a mechanical jig or electric machine and are superior to those made freehand.

A recent publication described autopsy samples from five brains in which positive staining for iron was observed as surrounding demyelinated plaques. Because this has not been previously reported, autopsy material from 13 patients who were being followed up at the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Clinic, University Hospital, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, was reviewed. A total of 32 paraffin-embedded blocks containing demyelinated plaques of varying age were sectioned and stained using a standard acid ferrocyanide technique (Peris' test) for iron. Microscopic examination failed to detect the presence of significant positive staining either within or surrounding the areas of demyelination. Positive histochemical staining for iron identifies hemosiderin, the presence of which suggests either iron overload or remote hemorrhage. Support for these two processes in the pathogenesis of MS could not be provided from our material.