Application of electron microscopy in the interpretation of fine-needle aspiration biopsies.

A series of 31 fine-needle aspiration biopsies were studied ultrastructurally in order to evaluate the usefulness of electron microscopy in the diagnosis of aspiration biopsies. In seven cases, the electron microscopic findings were crucial to the diagnosis. In the remaining cases, electron microscopy helped to confirm the light microscopic diagnosis. In addition, in a number of cases the diagnosis rendered following electron microscopy was much more precise and specific than was possible with light microscopy alone. It is concluded that electron microscopy has a definite place in the diagnosis of fine-needle aspiration biopsies and should be increasingly utilized on a selective basis.