Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Toluidine Blue Staining of Resin-Embedded Sections for Evaluation of Peripheral Nerve Morphology
Published on: July 3, 2018
Rapid toluidine blue stain for Mohs' micrographic surgery
Michael M Todd1, James W Lee, Victor J Marks
1Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania 17822, USA. mmtodd@geisinger.edu
Background:
Toluidine blue is a useful stain for detecting basal cell carcinoma during Mohs' micrographic surgery.
Objective:
To demonstrate the efficacy of alkalinization on the toluidine blue stain.
Methods:
A 1% aqueous toluidine blue-1% aqueous sodium borate solution was used to stain microscope slides for basal cell carcinoma during Mohs' micrographic surgery.
Results:
Total toluidine blue staining time was reduced to less than 2.5 minutes, without compromising the quality of the stain.
Conclusions:
The rapid toluidine blue stain reduces staining time while maintaining staining quality, including the advantages specific to the toluidine blue stain.
