[A new application of plastination in bone histology]

The plastination techniques originally developed for macroscopy can be modified for the preparation of plastinated sections for microscopy. Particularly good penetration of the specimen during preparation of the histological section is obtained, when the techniques described for freeze substitution, degreasing and forced impregnation with resin are employed. The different types of polymers are compared to determine the particular advantages and disadvantages of each. The sectioning technique and the use of histological stains are described for both undecalcified and decalcified bones. The modified Spalteholz technique with decalcification of sections and second plastination procedure for the preparation of transparent decalcified bone sections is described. This makes it possible to produce plane parallel standardized sections for morphometric examination of the vascular structure of the bone. The possible uses of the plastination for the histological examination procedures currently in use, such as fluorescence microscopy, microangiography and microradiography, are shown. The relative values of different microangiographic techniques have been determined for the first time by means of further developments of the Spalteholz and plastination techniques, because they have provided the possibility of standardizing sections. Thus, the plastination technique appears to be especially useful for the examination of microscopic specimens.