Cryosectioned

Cryosectioned refers to tissue or specimens that have been cut into thin sections at very low temperatures using a cryostat. This approach produces fresh-frozen sections for histology, immunohistochemistry, and rapid diagnostic testing.

In typical practice, tissue is rapidly frozen, often embedded in a cryoprotectant such as optimum cutting temperature (OCT) compound. The frozen block is mounted in a cryostat, and a microtome inside cuts serial sections usually 5 to 20 micrometers thick. Sections are collected on glass slides and may be stained with rapid methods, such as hematoxylin and eosin, for immediate microscopic evaluation, or prepared for immunostaining or special stains.

A major application is intraoperative frozen section analysis, where quick microscopic assessment aids surgical decisions. Cryosectioned material often preserves certain antigens better than paraffin-embedded tissue, facilitating some immunostains, but the morphology can be less crisp due to ice crystal artifacts. The quality of cryosections depends on tissue type, freezing rate, and handling.

Advantages include rapid turnaround, minimal chemical processing, and improved antigen preservation for some tests. Limitations include potential artifacts from freezing, variable morphological detail, and the need for careful handling because sections are more delicate and have shorter archival potential than paraffin sections. Cryosectioned samples are routinely used in clinical pathology and research settings to balance speed with diagnostic and analytical needs.