Histology artifacts
Histology artifacts are common.
Cautery artifact
Main article: Cautery artifact
Tissue fold
- Darker well demarcated line with apparent disruption of the architecture.
Images
Tissue fold (center of image) in basal cell hyperplasia of the prostate.
Extensive tissue folding in a SSA.
Chatter artifact
- Fine parallel lines.
Images
Chatter artifact in tubular adenoma.
Chatter artifact in complex endometrial hyperplasia.
Chatter artifact in TILs.
Tissue tearing
- Usually due to something intrinsic to the tissue that is hard, e.g. calcium.
Image
Tearing due to a calcification.
Sponge artifact
- Angulated pieces of tissue with punched-out missing fragments.[1]
- May result in little squares of tissue arranged in a regular pattern.
Images
Sponge artifact - very low mag.
Sponge artifact - low mag.
Sponge artifact - intermed. mag.
Bubble artifact
Large
- Large bubbles of air under the cover slip.
Images
CA - intermed. mag. (WC)
CA - high mag. (WC)
CA - high mag. (WC)
Coverslip artifact
Features:
- Black-grey lines - takes on the outline of the tissue beneath it.
- Above the plane-of-focus of the tissue - key feature.
Images
Case 1
CSA - low mag. (WC)
CSA - intermed mag. (WC)
CSA - high mag. (WC)
CSA - high mag. (WC)
CSA - very high mag. (WC)