Pitfalls Mechanic, thermic, and ischaemic damages should be taken into consideration at the interpretation of the microscopic morphology. Such damage can mimic cellular degeneration. Special attention should be given to the examination of the neighbouring fibrous soft tissue. The edges of the biopsy must not be considered at all. Neuronal changes in the vicinity of such areas should be regarded as artefacts.
Anamnestic data are important in the interpretation.
Therefore, the pathologist must be informed about previous operations .