Characterization of tissue and slide artifacts from automated embedding systems.

Area of Science:

• Histopathology
• Pathology
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Automated embedding systems are increasingly used for processing skin biopsy specimens due to technological advances and cost reductions.
• These systems utilize patented sectionable cassettes to hold tissue from grossing through sectioning, integrating the cassette into the final paraffin block.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report and characterize tissue and slide artifacts specific to automated embedding systems.
• To propose a term for these novel artifacts to aid pathologists in their identification and interpretation.

Main Methods:

• Observation and documentation of tissue and slide artifacts encountered during routine processing with automated embedding systems.
• Comparison of observed artifacts with known histological features and classic video game imagery.

Main Results:

• Common artifacts include patterned molding of tissue around cassette material and geometrically shaped, polarizable cassette material on slides.
• These artifacts are proposed to be termed 'Tetris-like artifacts' due to their resemblance to shapes from the video game Tetris.
• The presence of cassette material adjacent to or overlying stained tissue is a frequent finding.

Conclusions:

• Automated embedding systems introduce unique artifacts, termed Tetris-like artifacts, which are distinct to this processing method.
• Despite these artifacts, the diagnostic reliability of automated embedding systems is not compromised.
• Familiarity with Tetris-like artifacts is crucial for pathologists to avoid diagnostic confusion when evaluating slides processed with automated systems.