Transmission electron microscopy of previously embedded celloidin sections.

A technique to re-embed celloidin sections of human temporal bones for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is presented. The procedure consists of basically four different steps, starting with loosening of the celloidin sections from the glass slides, removing the celloidin using clove oil, to staining and embedding in epoxy resin. The technique allows TEM analysis of the intact labyrinth in various regions in the same specimen, as well as on the same section. This may prove useful, as prior dissection of the fragile tissue components of the membranous labyrinth is not longer necessary. The technique makes possible the retrospective study of temporal bone collections. It may also be of value for the study of the ultrastructural histopathology of the human inner ear in optimally preserved tissue.