Preparation of human whole lungs inflated and fixed for radiologic-pathologic correlation.

RATIONALE AND

OBJECTIVES

The authors evaluated a modified method of lung inflation and fixation for radiologic-pathologic correlation of lung disease.

METHODS

Fifty-five whole human lungs obtained at autopsy were examined. Fifty lungs were cannulated via the main bronchus and distended with 20% formalin. The cannula was clamped for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 2 hours, 2 days, 4 days, or 6 days. Then the formalin was expelled with air at a pressure of 10 cm H2O. The lung was fixed with a mixture of polyethylene glycol 400, 95% ethyl alcohol, 40% formalin, and water. In the five lungs that were not cannulated, the formalin was expelled manually.

RESULTS

The degree of inflation of 46 cannulated specimens was rated as good in 42, moderate in four, and poor in nine. Histologic preservation was not evaluated in 23 of 55 specimens because of postmortem autolysis. It was rated as good or moderate in 29 specimens. Both inflation and staining were rated as good in 21 specimens.

CONCLUSION

This modified method of preparation of inflated, fixed lung provides good histologic preservation and radiographic appearance of lung.