ADVANCED HISTOPATHOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES IN DIAGNOSIS OF THE MUSCLE AND TENDON ALTERATIONS

Abstract

In this mini review, I will attempt to briefly provide the microscopic possibilities in the diagnosis of muscle and tendon disorders based on more than 1000 muscle and 2000 tendon biopsies. The routine histological sections and light microscopy are still of value in the diagnosis of tendon and muscle pathology. The morphologic methods are time-consuming, and consequently should be done step by step. In diagnostic muscle pathology, enzyme histochemistry, histomorphometry, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry are the most reliable methods, while in tendon pathology, they are polarized light microscopy, electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. However, the histopathological methods can be used not only in the diagnosis of muscle and tendon disorders, but can also predict the physical condition of muscles, detect the healing and regenerating processes and the effectivity of drug administration.