The histopathological evaluation of PAS-stained nail clippings is very quick and easy to perform, and will increase the frequency of diagnosing onychomycotic disease above that achieved by culture and KOH preparation alone. However, because information concerning the vitality of the fungi and accurate identification of the specific pathogen is not available through this investigation alone, mycological culture continues to remain the indisputable 'gold standard' of mycological diagnostics.