Artefacts: a diagnostic dilemma - a review

Area of Science:

• Oral pathology
• Histotechnology
• Diagnostic accuracy

Background:

• Accurate histopathological diagnosis relies on competent histotechnologists and proper biopsy specimen handling.
• The goal of histopathology is to create microscopic tissue preparations that closely resemble in-vivo structures.
• Compromised specimen quality, often due to artefacts, can hinder accurate interpretation by oral pathologists.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the significance of proper biopsy specimen handling in histopathological diagnosis.
• To emphasize the role of histotechnologists in achieving accurate tissue diagnoses.
• To identify common artefacts encountered during oral biopsy interpretation.

Main Methods:

• Review of histopathological techniques and potential sources of artefacts.
• Analysis of factors affecting tissue morphology during processing.
• Discussion of common artefacts in surgical removal, fixation, processing, embedding, microtomy, and staining.

Main Results:

• The accuracy of histopathological interpretation is directly proportional to specimen quality and quantity.
• Artefacts can occur at multiple stages, from surgical removal to staining.
• Identifying and understanding artefacts is essential for correct oral biopsy interpretation.

Conclusions:

• Proper handling and processing of biopsy specimens are paramount for reliable histopathological diagnosis.
• Histotechnologist competence is vital for producing high-quality specimens.
• Awareness of common artefacts aids oral pathologists in accurate interpretation of oral biopsies.