Simultaneous demonstration of connective tissue elastica and fibrin by a combined Verhoeff's elastic-Martius-scarlet-blue trichrome stain

Abstract

A method for the routine combined demonstration of elastica, connective tissue in general, and fibrin is described. Elastica, stained blue-black by Verhoeff's iron hematoxylin, is contrasted with muscle and collagen, stained red and blue or green respectively, by a modification of the Martius-scarlet-blue (MSB) trichrome for fibrin of Lendrum et al. The MSB technique selectively stains fresh, mature and old fibrin orange-yellow, red and blue respectively; the Masson trichrome does not distinguish between erythrocytes and fibrin. Nuclei are stained at the same time as the elastica. The technique takes approximately one and a half hours and is ideal for the study of connective tissue and vascular pathology, especially the necrotizing vasculitides.