[Histonet] Black pigment on Bronch Lavages

From:Kathy.Johnston@CLS.ab.ca



One of our pathologists and myself have been trying to identify some black intracellular pigmentation in a bronch lavage.  We have ruled out carbon, and bleaching the section did not work, therefore is not melanin.  It is a very fine dark black pigment and appears quite uniform in shape and size.  Our pathologist is thinking that it is lead (the patient is a long time professional painter), but lead stains are negative.  My other thought is aluminum deposits but have not yet stained for this.
 
I am hoping someone on the "Net"  may have some idea of what this may be, and if there is a method for demonstrating it.
 
Thanks very much in advance!
 
Kathy Johnston
Tech II - Special Stains
Anatomic Pathology - FMC
Calgary Laboratory Services
1403-29 Street NW
Calgary AB, Canada T2N 2T9
403-944-4760
403-290-4093 fax
kathy.johnston@cls.ab.ca


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