Artifacts in Histopatholohy – A Microscopic View

Abstract

Histopathological examination is considered a gold standard procedure for reaching a final diagnosis of
various human body lesions. However, it is limited by a number of changes in normal morphological
and cytological characteristics that occur as a result of presence of artifacts. The purpose of preparing a
biological specimen for microscopic studies is to obtain sufficient and reliable diagnostic knowledge which
is a true representation of the specimen, whether it is for study or diagnosis. These objects may occur during
procedures for surgical removal, fixation, tissue processing, embedding, and microtomy, and staining and
mounting.They contribute to misinterpretation of the diagnosis of histopathology but often they bring the
limelight into the diagnosis. This article discusses the common artifacts which we commonly encountered
during slide examination