[Electron microscopy: A clinically useful, desirable or useless tool in kidney biopsy diagnostics? (author's transl)].

Electron microscopic investigation of renal biopsies is indispensable in cases of suspected Alport's syndrome, benign (familial) hematuria, nail patella syndrome as well as for the identification of viruses, virus-like endothelial tubular structures and crystalloid deposits in cryoglobulinemia. Additional valuable information is provided for all other glomerular nephropathies especially for exact classification of glomerulonephritis. Electron microscopy can by no means be a substitute for light microscopy or immunofluorescence, respectively. Provided that clinical-pathological cooperation is optimal, best results can be obtained by simultaneous application of all three methods.