Clinical applications of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in North America with emphasis on SEM's role in comparative microscopy.

This paper contains an account of the clinical applications of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) in North American based on the available literature and personal experience. The role of SEM's contributions through comparative microscopy is stressed rather than a definitive diagnostic role. (Few tests are definitive) Therefore, situations where the application of SEM has been beneficial in day to day diagnostic problems are cited using the imaging modes of SEM as a format. The role of SEM in studying autopsy material is not discussed. Autopsy material has both strengths and weakness, as well as a special time frame, and is worthy of its own separate discussion.