Staining method for the examination of the small intestinal villous pattern in necropsy material IAIN

Morphological and histological examination of intestinal mucosal biopsy material obtained by peroral instrumentation has made an outstanding contribution to the study and understanding of small intestinal disease. Postmortem examination of small intestinal mucosa has been unsatisfactory and disappointing, the histological sections showing in most instances such extensive autolytic changes that accurate assessment of villous structure is impossible. Portmortem autolysis of alimentary mucosa is rapid since it is so rich in proteolytic enzymes (Abraham, 1962). Recent awareness of intestinal mucosal abnormalities in conditions other than the coeliac syndrome, for example, carcinoma (Hindle and Creamer, 1965; Dymock, 1966), ulcerative colitis (Salem, Truelove, and Richards, 1964), and skin disease (Shuster and Marks, 1965) has further necessitated the development of a method for the identification of villous structure in necropsy material. Creamer and Leppard (1965) have described a method for the preparation of specimens and their examination under the dissecting microscope. In this communication we describe a further development of this technique using haematoxylin staining which facilitates the rapid identification of villous structure. Further, this has proved suitable for study by a monocular microscope and for photographic recording.