In situ fixation of the neonatal brain and spinal cord

Pediatr Pathol. 1993 Sep-Oct;13(5):699-705. doi: 10.3109/15513819309048255.

Abstract

A delay in the autopsy can result in significant tissue autolysis, especially in the central nervous system. We have developed a rapid technique of in situ fixation that preserves central nervous system tissues until the formal autopsy can be performed. Through the lateral margin of the anterior fontanelle, Zamboni's solution is injected percutaneously into the lateral ventricles and allowed to exit via an intrathecal spinal needle. The choice of fixative allows a wide array of postmortem studies to be done.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Autopsy / methods*
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Fixatives
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Injections, Intraventricular
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Solutions
  • Spinal Cord / pathology*
  • Tissue Fixation / methods*

Substances

  • Fixatives
  • Solutions