A number of conditions may cause the cut sections to become jammed together, compressed or wrinkled. .
Differential diagnosis:
(1) The knife edge is dull..
(2) The knife edge is coated with debris.
(3) The blade’s clearance angle too shallow (too small).
(4) The paraffin is too soft because the room is warm.
(5) Sectioning too rapidly..
(6) The specimen itself is compressed because of incomplete infiltration.
Cause
Solution
The knife edge is dull.
Sharpen the blade or get a new one.
There is debris on the knife edge.
Clean the knife of any debris.
The clearance angle is too small.
Increase the clearance angle.
The paraffin is too soft.
Cool the paraffin (ice cube, refrigerate, etc)
Sectioning being done too fast.
Slow down.
Specimen compressed.
Reprocess the tissue ensuring adequate infiltration.
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Specialty: Clinical Laboratory
