EM Unit Services

The investigation of biopsies by light (LM) and electron microscopy (EM) are provided on a continuous basis to the State Neuropathology Service (SPNS) and University affiliated hospitals including allied interstate hospitals for evaluation by pathologists. The services in the EM Unit operate on a 7-day turnaround from the receipt of the sample to the dispatch of results. Three main types of biopsies (muscles, nerves and kidneys) are regularly processed.

Occasionally other samples and skin biopsies are submitted for examination. The samples are processed for conventional EM. The samples are observed by LM first from a 0.5 µm section stained with methylene blue. Suitable areas with small vessels from the skin biopsies are selected for further analysis by EM. The samples are investigated for CADASIL disease which is identified by granular osmiophilic material related to vascular smooth muscle cells. Electron dense extracellular granular deposits without filaments occur in regions of infoldings. Tissue samples are examined at the ultrastructural level for the presence of viruses which may require further research for identification.

More Information and Examples

• Kideny biospies
• Muscle biopsies
• Reseach specimens