Lung stained using VVG
In the Verhoeff-Van Gieson (VVG) staining method, the tissue is stained with hematoxylin-ferric chloride and iodine containing working solution. Elastic fibres have the strongest affinity for the hematoxylin-ferric chloride iodine solution which is used to overstain the entire tissue section. Therefore, the elastic fibres retain the dye, even after a diluted solution of ferric chloride is used for differentiation to break the tissue-mordant-dye complex in the other tissue elements. Sodium thiosulfate is used to remove excess iodine. The subsequent Van Gieson counter stain utilizes picric acid and acid fuchsin to stain collagen and muscle fibres, producing contrast against the hematoxylin stain. Under-differentiation is preferred in the Verhoeff stain, as picric acid used in the van Gieson counter stain serves to differentiate the elastic fibres further.
In the Verhoeff-Van Gieson (VVG) staining method, the tissue is stained with hematoxylin-ferric chloride and iodine containing working solution. Elastic fibres have the strongest affinity for the hematoxylin-ferric chloride iodine solution which is used to overstain the entire tissue section. Therefore, the elastic fibres retain the dye, even after a diluted solution of ferric chloride is used for differentiation to break the tissue-mordant-dye complex in the other tissue elements. Sodium thiosulfate is used to remove excess iodine. The subsequent Van Gieson counter stain utilizes picric acid and acid fuchsin to stain collagen and muscle fibres, producing contrast against the hematoxylin stain. Under-differentiation is preferred in the Verhoeff stain, as picric acid used in the van Gieson counter stain serves to differentiate the elastic fibres further.
