title: Rapid microwave-stimulated fixation of fine-needle aspiration biopsies for transmission electron microscopy.
abstract: A new technique is described in which fine-needle aspiration biopsies are processed for transmission electron microscopy within 2 hr. This rapid processing method includes exposure of the biopsy in a glutaraldehyde-formaldehyde mixture to microwaves for 25 sec in a domestic oven. The specimen is then routinely stained, processed through graded ethanol, and embedded in epoxy resin to produce excellent preservation of fine structural features.
authors.affiliation: Electron Microscopy Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Woodville, South Australia.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Gove
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: L K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Waterhouse
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Leong
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D005404:Fixatives; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods*; D008872:Microwaves
chemical_list: D005404:Fixatives