[The rapid microscopical diagnosis of brain and spinal cord tumors by cryostat-cut frozen section (author's transl)].

The rapid histological diagnosis of neurosurgical biopsy material is of prime importance for the neurosurgeon. Cryostat-cut sections of fresh frozen tissues have been used in our department. The surgical materials are rapidly frozen at - 150 degrees C, and serial sections, 10 microns thick, are cut in a cryostat at -18 degrees to -20 degrees C. The sections are adhered to cover glasses and stained with Metachrome solution (a mixture of 1% Azure A and 0.5% Erie Garnet B). The rapid and accurate diagnosis can be obtained within 5 minutes. The advantage of cryostat-cut frozen section is the preservation of cell density and tissue architecture, which is most important in the diagnosis of neurosurgical materials, especially in case of diffusely infiltrating glioma. The previously reported methods, such as smear technique and frozen sections by using freezing microtome are also reviewed and discussed.