Transmission Electron Microscopy for the Diagnosis of Epidermolysis Bullosa - 05/08/11

Doi : 10.1016/j.det.2009.12.001

Robin A.J. Eady, DSc, FRCP ^a,^⁎ , Patricia J.C. Dopping-Hepenstal, BSc ^b
^a St John’s Institute of Dermatology, St Thomas’ Hospital, London SE1 7EH, UK
^b National Diagnostic Epidermolysis Bullosa Laboratory, GSTS Pathology, St John’s Institute of Dermatology, St Thomas’ Hospital, London SE1 7EH, UK

Corresponding author.

Résumé

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has long been the best available method for the diagnosis of epidermolysis bullosa. Today, TEM is largely superseded by immunofluorescence microscopy mapping, which is generally more available. This article discusses its continuing role in confirming or refining results obtained by other methods, or in establishing the diagnosis where other techniques have been unsuitable or have failed. It covers key steps for optimizing tissue preparation, features of analysis, recently classified epidermolysis bullosa disorders, and strengths and weaknesses of TEM.

Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.

Keywords : Electron microscopy, Epidermolysis bullosa, Dermal-epidermal junction, Hemidesmosome, Anchoring fibril, Keratin intermediate filament, Desmosome