Scanning Electron Microscopy in the Study of Normal, Inflamed and Neoplastic Human Urothelium

Abstract
Samples of human urothelium (72) were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the appearances compared with those of conventional light microscopy. Six main SEM cell types were recognized. None was diagnostic of malignancy; in particular, the presence of surface pleomorphic microvilli was not pathognomonic. The relation of the SEM appearance to malignancy and the accepted histological grades and clinical stages of malignancy was such as to warrant further examination.