1/6. Localized argyria with pseudo-ochronosis.BACKGROUND: Localized argyria is uncommon and presents clinically as asymptomatic slate gray macules or blue macules resembling blue nevi. Its histopathologic features are usually similar to those of generalized argyria in which silver granules are found most commonly around the eccrine glands, in the walls of blood vessels, and along elastic fibers. Ochre swollen homogenized collagen bundles resembling ochronosis have not been previously described. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to report a series of 5 patients with localized argyria with the histologic feature of "pseudo-ochronosis." In one patient, biopsy was performed on 2 distinct lesions. methods: All patients underwent skin biopsies for light microscopy and darkfield microscopy. In two patients, the biopsy specimens were analyzed with a mass spectrophotometer; scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis were performed. In one patient, the biopsy specimen was decolorized with 1% potassium ferricyanide in 20% sodium thiosulfate. RESULTS: All 5 patients presented with the typical clinical and histologic features of localized argyria. Ochre swollen and homogenized collagen bundles were seen in all cases. In addition, light microscopy in 4 cases revealed an ellipsoid black globule within a zone of collagen degeneration. CONCLUSION: The histologic features of localized argyria include swollen and homogenized collagen bundles resembling ochronosis, "pseudo-ochronosis," which may be more common than previously recognized.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = blood vessel, vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/6. Localized argyria 20-years after embedding of acupuncture needles.We report a 66-year-old woman with localized argyria caused by embedding of acupuncture needles. Ten years after she had received acupuncture, she noticed two asymptomatic bluish macules on her right arm. A biopsied specimen from the macule revealed many brownish-black granules mainly located around the sweat glands and the blood vessels in the dermis. The X-ray examination of the extremities revealed numerous needle-like fragments around her extremities. "Embedding of needles" induces some serious adverse events. We should know the adverse events for the safety and health of patients.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = blood vessel, vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/6. Blue macules of localized argyria caused by implanted acupuncture needles. Electron microscopy and roentgenographic microanalysis of deposited metal.acupuncture needles implanted in the skin for more than ten years caused peculiar bluish macules, each of which clinically resembled a blue nevus in the extremities of a 63-year-old Japanese woman. Histologically, the involved skin showed deposition of fine brownish granules in the basement membrane of the eccrine sweat glands, on the inner surface of the blood vessel walls, and along elastic fibers of the superficial dermis in addition to sparse deposits noted throughout the dermis. Electron microscopy revealed deposits of electron-dense particles on the basal lamina of the secretory coils of the eccrine sweat glands, below the basal lamina of the dermoepidermal junction, and on elastic fibers. Roentgenographic microanalysis of the involved skin demonstrated that most of the granules consisted of silver and chloride; silver was a major component in the removed needles.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = blood vessel, vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/6. brain involvement in generalized argyria.Cutaneous argyria was diagnosed in a 59-year-old woman. Manic depressive psychosis developed at about the same or a short time thereafter. The patient died 6 years later from a ruptured aortic aneurysm. At autopsy silver deposits were seen in skin, mucous membranes, heart, kidney, and liver. In the central nervous system the leptomeninges and choroid plexuses contained silver granules. In addition, silver granules were visualized in the walls of many intraparenchymal vessels, particularly of the basal ganglia, hypothalamus, substantia nigra, and cerebellum. Progressive glial changes and cellular gliosis were evident in many areas of the brain. With the electron microscope the deposition of silver granules in basal membrane structures of the choroid plexus and intracerebral vasculature was amply confirmed. Furthermore, silver deposition was seen in brain parenchymal cells inside bodies of apparently lysosomal nature. The silver content of various brain regions was determined by absorption spectrophotometry.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.012760827377817keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/6. Generalized argyria after habitual use of AgNO3.Generalized argyria, the systemic dissemination and tissue deposition of silver-containing particles, is characterized by slate gray discoloration of skin, most pronounced in sun exposed areas. A 33-year-old woman visited our dermatologic clinic complaining of frequent oral ulceration for 10 years and generalized discoloration of her skin for 5 years. She had had her tongue painted with silver nitrate repeatedly 6 years ago for the treatment of oral ulcers. physical examination showed slate gray discoloration of her skin, most pronounced on the face and neck. The oral mucosa, tongue, sclera, and conjunctiva also had a slightly blue-gray discoloration. biopsy specimens from the oral mucosa and forearm revealed small brown-black granules scattered in the dermis and basal lamina of eccrine sweat glands, blood vessels, and hair follicles under the light microscope. Tiny black granules were most numerous in the basal laminae of vessels in electron microscopic observation. Energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDXA) confirmed that many of the granules contained silver.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.0127608273778keywords = blood vessel, vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/6. Localized argyria with chrysiasis caused by implanted acupuncture needles. Distribution and chemical forms of silver and gold in cutaneous tissue by electron microscopy and x-ray microanalysis.A case of localized argyria with chrysiasis caused by implanted acupuncture needles in a 41-year-old Japanese woman was studied by electron microscopy and x-ray microanalysis. Large amounts of silver granules with selenium and sulfur were detected around eccrine secretory cells in much greater amounts than around ductal cells. Many granules were also observed along the outer edge of the basement membrane but never within cells or intercellular spaces. The granules were also present around blood vessels, lymphatics and nerve fibers, and in elastic fibers. Small numbers of gold fragments were also seen, mostly within macrophages. These results suggest that silver deposits extracellularly as selenide and sulfide, whereas free gold is found intracellularly.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = blood vessel, vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |