Preparation of cell blocks using raw duck eggshell membranes

LI Li; LI Kuifang; WANG Wenwen; CAI Zehan; LIU Ye

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1007-8096.2025.08.024

Abstract：Objective To explore the technical feasibility and application potential of using fresh duck eggshell membrane as an innovative embedding carrier for preparing cell paraffin blocks. Methods A total of 28 cases of fresh serous cavity effusions received by the Department of Pathology of Jiangyin Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital were collected. After microscopic examination of cytological smears, 5 positive or suspiciously positive specimens were selected. Each specimen was divided into 3 portions of 10 mL. Cell paraffin blocks were prepared using fresh duck eggshell membrane embedding, agar embedding, and egg white embedding methods. The cell sample enrichment rate, HE staining, and immunohistochemical staining effects of the three methods were compared. Results The cell enrichment rates of the duck eggshell membrane embedding method, agar embedding method, and egg white embedding method were (88.2±2.5)%, (63.7±2.2)%, and (66.9±2.1)%, respectively, with statistically significant differences (χ²(2)=10.0, P=0.007). The eggshell membrane embedding method had the highest cell enrichment rate, followed by the egg white method, while the agar method had the lowest. Compared with the other two methods, the eggshell membrane embedding method showed concentrated cell components and ideal dehydration effect; HE staining was uniform, with well-distributed and intact cell morphology and clear structure, and a clean background; immunohistochemical positive signals were accurately localized, with strong antigen expression specificity and minimal non-specific antibody binding, making diagnosis and interpretation easier. Conclusion The technique of preparing cell paraffin blocks based on fresh duck eggshell membrane, through material innovation and method improvement, effectively overcomes the shortcomings of traditional techniques, significantly improves the quality of cell paraffin block preparation, and has broad application prospects in the field of cytological pathology.