Enzyme histochemistry can assese the effects of microwave irradiation on rat hepatic tissue

Tabuse reported that the microwave ablation elicited thermal damage of tissue that resulted in coagulation necrosis. While some researchers pointed out the possibility that some tumor cells remain viable in the ablated area. To clarify the sequential histologic of the microwave-irradiated tissue, we examined irradiated normal rat liver with enzyme histochemistry for acid phosphatase. The irradiated region was composed of histologically different two distinct areas : a central area adjacent to the electrode and a peripheral area. Cellular morphology and time sequence of tissue reaction in the peripheral area were consistent with coagulation necrosis. On the other hand, in the central area microwave caused tissue fixation. Because microwave fixed cells which were similar to normal cells in HE stain, enzyme histochemistry that enables us to distinguish fixed cells from viable cells may be useful to assess the effects of microwave irradiation.