The clinician's view of diagnostic electron microscopy

Area of Science:

• Clinical Pathology
• Medical Diagnostics
• Pathogenesis Research

Background:

• Electron microscopy (EM) has traditionally been confined to research settings.
• There is a growing recognition of EM's potential in clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the expanding clinical utility of electron microscopy.
• To advocate for the integration of EM into routine clinical workflows.
• To demonstrate EM's role in diagnostics and understanding disease.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of existing clinical applications of electron microscopy.
• Case examples illustrating EM's diagnostic and prognostic value.
• Discussion of EM's contribution to elucidating pathogenetic mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Electron microscopy serves as a valuable adjunct to clinical diagnosis.
• EM provides guidance for therapeutic interventions.
• The technique is crucial for elucidating pathogenetic mechanisms in various diseases.

Conclusions:

• Electron microscopy's role extends beyond research into clinical practice.
• EM is beneficial in hematology, nephrology, virology, gastroenterology, and metabolic disorders.
• Integrating EM enhances diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic strategies.