Related Experiment Videos
The varied appearances of starch particles in smears and paraffin sections
D A Levison1, P R Crocker, S Jones
1Department of Histopathology, St Bartholomew's Hospital and Medical College, London, UK.
Abstract:
Evidence is presented to show that maize starch particles, usually recognized in histological sections by their Maltese cross birefringence under cross-polarized light, lose this characteristic appearance when transected by the microtome blade. Such particles are, therefore, likely to be overlooked. Though maize starch usually enters the abdomen during surgery, the female genital tract is another possible route from sources such as contraceptive devices. Other types of starch particle have different shapes, sizes and surface markings and these may be distinguished from maize starch by light and electron optical methods.
Insights
Maize starch particles may be missed in surgical samples because microtome sectioning obscures their characteristic Maltese cross pattern. Recognizing this, and other starch types, is crucial for accurate histological diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Histopathology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Maize starch particles are typically identified in tissue sections by their unique Maltese cross birefringence under polarized light microscopy.
- The presence of starch particles in surgical specimens can be relevant for diagnosing conditions or identifying foreign material.
Observation:
- Microtome sectioning of maize starch particles can disrupt their crystalline structure, leading to the loss of the characteristic Maltese cross birefringence.
- This loss of birefringence makes these particles difficult to detect using standard polarized light microscopy.
Findings:
- Maize starch particles transected by a microtome blade may be overlooked in histological analysis.
- The female genital tract represents an alternative route for starch particle entry into the abdomen, beyond surgical contamination.
- Different starch types exhibit distinct morphological features (shape, size, surface) detectable via light and electron microscopy.
Implications:
- Histopathologists should be aware of the potential for obscured birefringence in maize starch particles.
- Consideration of non-surgical routes of starch particle contamination is important in certain clinical contexts.
- Advanced microscopy techniques can aid in differentiating various starch particles when birefringence is absent or ambiguous.