ACID DECALCIFYING AGENTS part 1

NITRIC ACID

is the most common and the fastest decalcifying agent used so far, utilized both as a simple solution or combined with other reagents.

NITRIC ACID

It is a very rapid decalcifying agent, producing minimal distortion and is, therefore, recommended for routine purposes

NITRIC ACID

It has, however, the disadvantage of inhibiting nuclear stains and destroying tissues, especially in concentrated solutions.

5- 10%

NITRIC ACID recommended concentrations

Aqueous Nitric Acid Solution 10%

FORMULA:

• Concentrated nitric Acid 10 ml.

• Distilled water added up to 100 ml.

12-24 hours

Aqueous Nitric Acid Solution 10% DECALCIFICATION TIME:

Aqueous Nitric Acid Solution 10%

• It is rapid in action.

• It produces minimum distortion of tissues

Aqueous Nitric Acid Solution 10%

• It produces good nuclear staining (although less than in slower acting agents)

• The acid may be easily removed by 70% alcohol

Aqueous Nitric Acid Solution 10%

It is recommended for urgent biopsy, and for needle and small biopsy specimens to permit rapid diagnosis within 24 hours or less

Aqueous Nitric Acid Solution 10%

It can be used for large or heavily mineralized cortical bone specimen if decalcification progress is carefully monitored by a decalcification endpoint test.

Aqueous Nitric Acid Solution 10%

• Prolonged decalcification may lead to tissue distortion.

• It can seriously damage tissue stainability.

• It imparts a yellow color with nitrous acid, thereby impairing the staining reaction of the tissue