1Department of Oral Pathology, KLE VK Institute of Dental Sciences, KLE University, Nehru Nagar, Belgaum-590010, Karnataka, India
2Department of Oral Pathology, Bharatiya Vidhyapeeth Dental College, Sangli, Maharashtra, India
3Dept. of Pathology, JN Medical College, Belgaum-10
4Department of Oral Pathology, ITS Dental College & Hospital, Noida, India
Online published on 23 January, 2012.
Hematoxylin-Eosin(H-E) provides optimal staining for histology, but in formalin-fixed, decalcified, paraffin-embedded bone tissue, both bone and soft tissue appear the same shade of pink. In addition to the improved staining properties, the methylene blue-acid fuchsin stain is also superior to H-E in terms of its stability, cost and ease of use.
To determine the efficacy of methylene blue-acid fuchsin stain combination to differentiate mineralized structures from surrounding soft tissues in various oral lesions.
Two sections each of peripheral cemento-ossifying fibroma, central cemento-ossifying fibroma, fibroma with calcification, fibrous dysplasia, adenomatoid odontogenic tumour and pleomorphic adenoma were taken. One section was stained with hematoxylin-eosin and the other with methylene blue-acid fuchsin.
In contrast to standard hematoxylin-eosin stain, which stains both bone and soft tissues pink, the methylene blue-acid fuchsin stain combination demonstrates remarkable contrast with bone appearing bright pink and the soft tissue blue-purple.
Methylene blue, acid fuchsin, bone, soft tissue
