What is the difference between frozen section and paraffin-embedded section?

The correct choice emphasizes the purpose and application of frozen sections in pathology. Frozen sections are specifically prepared to enable immediate examination during surgical procedures. This technique allows pathologists to quickly assess the presence of disease, determine surgical margins, or make real-time decisions about patient care while the patient is still undergoing surgery. This swift approach is crucial for intraoperative consultations, where timely information can significantly impact the surgical strategy.

In contrast, paraffin-embedded sections are typically prepared for more in-depth analysis and are not usually available immediately. The paraffin embedding process involves fixation, dehydration, and infiltration with wax, which can take more time. This method is essential for producing high-quality, preserved tissue sections that are used for routine histopathological evaluation, allowing for a detailed analysis under a microscope after appropriate staining.

Other choices present aspects that misrepresent the characteristics of these techniques. For example, frozen sections are not necessarily designed for long-term storage, and while paraffin-embedded sections do use different staining protocols, this is not a primary distinction relative to their individual operational purposes in pathology.