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Methanol as an alternative fixative for cytological smears
M P Kumarasinghe1, S R Constantine, R L Hemamali
1Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The Malaysian Journal of Pathology
|July 6, 2000
Summary
Methanol is a cost-effective and effective alternative to ethanol for cytological fixation of fine needle aspiration biopsies. This study found methanol comparable to ethanol in preserving colloid and cellular morphology, with faster evaporation rates.
Area of Science:
- Cytopathology
- Histology
- Laboratory Medicine
Background:
- Ethanol (95%) is the standard cytological fixative, but its cost and availability can be limiting.
- Methanol is a known tissue dehydrant with potential as a cytological fixative, though its efficacy requires assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of methanol as a cytological fixative compared to ethanol.
- To assess the preservation of colloid and cellular morphology using methanol versus ethanol fixation.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 108 thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB).
- Smears were fixed in either ethanol or methanol and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E).
- Comparative scoring of colloid and cellular (nuclear and cytoplasmic) preservation, alongside evaporation rate calculations.
Main Results:
- Methanol showed comparable preservation scores for colloid (98% vs. 97%) and cells (98.9% vs. 98.2%) versus ethanol (p > 0.05).
- Methanol exhibited higher evaporation rates than ethanol under both closed and open conditions.
- No significant inhalational side effects of methanol were noted in literature under standard laboratory conditions.
Conclusions:
- Methanol is a viable, cost-effective alternative to ethanol for cytological smear fixation.
- Methanol demonstrates equivalent efficacy to ethanol in preserving cytological specimens.
- Further research may explore long-term stability and broader applications of methanol fixation.