Ultrastructural evaluation of the microslicing method for the study of temporal bone pathology

Microslices 3 mm thick from undecalcified human temporal bones were prepared with a special cutting machine and then processed for SEM and TEM in order to evaluate advantages and disadvantages of the microslicing technique for the study of the temporal bone pathology. In the examined microslices there was some mechanical distortion of the membranous labyrinth, detachment of soft tissues from bone and a considerable amount of contamination by bone dust and debris which are circulated during sectioning. For SEM the method therefore has limited value. For TEM a relatively contamination free area can be found some distance from the cutting surface of each microslice.