Diagnostic value of electron microscopy on paraffin-embedded cytologic material.
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is an important adjuvant to light microscopy, but is underutilized in cytopathology because of technical obstacles. One should attempt to obtain properly fixed material for TEM whenever possible. If that is not available, TEM on the cell block requires no preplanning or additional needle passes, and avoids problems of inadequate tissue for diagnosis. However, cell blocks are often not examined because of the perception that their poor ultrastructural preservation precludes their utility. We describe our experience in performing TEM on cell blocks from 15 cytologic specimens. In 13 of 15 cases, the cell block material was adequate for ultrastructural evaluation, and it clarified or extended the diagnosis in seven of these cases. TEM is a useful adjuvant technique to cytodiagnosis and can be successfully performed on cell blocks when gluteraldehyde-fixed material is not available.
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19102-1192.
N A
NA
Young
S
S
Naryshkin
S M
SM
Katz
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D000368:Aged; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000473:pathology; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D010232:Paraffin; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000473:pathology; D016610:Tissue Embedding
D010232:Paraffin