Paradoxal dyeing affinity's inversion of the connective tissue at Goldner's Masson trichrome staining as a peculiar characteristic of compressed and exsiccated cadaveric skin

The microscopic examination of a hanging cutaneous furrow, stained with Goldner's Masson trichrome staining, highlighted an abnormal dyeing inversion affinity of the connective tissue - red instead of green - located in the region of maximal cutaneous compression and exsiccation. To identify if this different stainability could be considered as an intrinsic characteristic of all biological tissues compressed and exsiccated, we have assessed different cadaveric skin samples that underwent traumatic detrimental phenomena that can produce such effects. We collected skin fragments from 24 corpses deceased because of gunshot injuries, electrocution, hanging, and heat-induced lesions, sampling the areas directly involved, as well as skin specimens to use as a control. The slides were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and two different protocols of Goldner's Masson trichrome staining (one homemade and one commercial kit). The inversion of the staining affinity of the connective tissue was observed in 83% of the cutaneous samples, using both the Goldner's Masson trichrome staining protocols. This phenomenon was not observed in any of the control cases. Therefore, the inversion of the staining affinity of the connective tissue dyed with Goldner's Masson trichrome staining may represent a histomorphological aspect that must be expected when the skin has been affected by specific detrimental modalities able of producing compression and exsiccation.