A Reliable Method of Preparing Undecalcified Human Bone Biopsies for Electron Microscopic Investigation

Undecalcified preparation of bone tissue for electron microscopic investigation depends on an adequate embedding method. A low viscosity resin proved to comply with the particular conditions as there is good infiltration of specimen by the monomer medium and also sufficient hardness of the polymerization product. Both properties stabilize the transition of soft tissue to mineralized bone surface; thus reproducible results of good quality are obtained in ultra-thin sectioning. A special preparation technique of human bone biopsies for simultaneous light and electron microscopic investigation has been developed. The method is based on experiences with approximately 300 iliac crest biopsies in metabolic and endocrine bone disorders.