Human nervous system tumors. Observations by high voltages electron microscopy.

Thick sections (0.5--2 mu) of biopsies from human nervous system tumors (Schwannoma, ependymoma, medulloblastoma), fixed in aldehydes followed by osmium, and stained with uranyl acetate and lead, have been studied at 2.5 MV, and compared to thin sections of the same material observed by ordinary low voltage electron microscopy. High voltage electron microscopy permits direct observation of cell fine structure in three dimensions, including the spatial relations of organelles. Details of contours of nuclear envelopes, shapes of mitochondria, fine aspects of the structure of cell surfaces and processes, such as the flat sheet-like and irregular cylindrical processes of Schwannoma cells, the small projections and ridges on their surfaces, and microvilli and cilia of ependymoma cells, and other features have been observed. These initial observations demonstrate the applicability of high voltage electron microscopy to further study of neural neoplasms.