title: Examination of mucosal surfaces by scanning electron microscopy before and after removal of debris.
abstract: A rapid method is described whereby gastrointestinal biopsy specimen surfaces can be examined by scanning electron microscopy with overlying tract contents (debris) intact, and also re-examined after cleaning to determine the structure of the underlying mucosal surface. The conductive coating of gold is removed using mercury, a non-wetting agent. The specimen surface is suitably cleaned of debris after a brief ultrasonication in absolute ethanol which mixes with the transitional fluid (CO2) used for critical point drying.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Queen's University of Belfast, U.K.
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Dickson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McKenna
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McColl
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Carr
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats