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Scanning Electron Microscopy of Adenomatoid Tumours
Author(s) -
MORRIS J. A.,
OATES K.,
STAFF W. G.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
british journal of urology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 0007-1331
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-410x.1986.tb09023.x
Subject(s) - histogenesis , scanning electron microscope , electron microscope , adenomatoid tumor , cytoplasm , microscopy , pathology , chemistry , anatomy , biology , biophysics , materials science , microbiology and biotechnology , optics , physics , medicine , composite material , immunohistochemistry
Summary— Four adenomatoid tumours of the epididymis were embedded in paraffin wax, sectioned and the sectioned surfaces examined by scanning electron microscopy using the secondary electron mode. The solid faces of the sectioned neoplasms were damaged by the preparative technique but the depressed luminal surfaces of the tubules were well preserved and yielded useful information. Large areas of luminal surface were examined and the presence and distribution of microvilli were noted. In addition, there was a more complex cell surface pattern of intersecting cord‐like elevations. Desquamating cells were seen within the tubules and the cytoplasmic bridges noted by light microscopy were shown to be thin cytoplasmic partitions. These findings are consistent with the mesothelial theory of histogenesis. Scanning electron microscopy can provide useful information about the internal structure of neoplasms even with simple preparative techniques.