Carnoy's Solution is a fixative composed of 60% ethanol, 30% chloroform and 10% glacial acetic acid.^[1]

In Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology: A Rationale for Diagnosis and Treatment^[2], the authors state that Carnoy's Solution is composed of:

• 1 g of Ferric Chloride (FeCl₃) dissolved in 24 mL of absolute alcohol
• 12 mL of chloroform
• 4 mL of glacial acetic acid

This is the same proportion by volume as the previous formula, with the addition of Ferric Chloride.

[edit] Uses

Some of the uses of Carnoy's solution are:

• Enhancing lymph node detection during dissection of cadavers.^[3]
• Immunohistochemical fixation and detection of NMDA receptors within the murine hippocampus.^[4]
• Applied directly following enucleation for the treatment of keratocystic odontogenic tumors.^[5][6][7]
• In some cases direct application following enucleation for certain kinds of unicystic ameloblastomas.^[8] This appears to decrease the likelihood of recurrence over enucleation alone.^[9] Protein coagulation is thought to limit uptake of these toxic materials by surrounding tissues, however it is this fact that limits its usefulness as a treatment agent in general.^[2]
• As a fixative for pap smear samples.^[10]
• As a fixative agent for both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA in various tissues.^[11]
• As a fixative agent to preserve mucus, useful for tissue preparation before staining with periodic acid-Schiff base.^[12]

[edit] References