[Histonet] Black pigment on Bronch Lavages

[Kathy.Johnston <@t> 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 <@t> cls.ab.ca <mailto:kathy.johnston <@t> cls.ab.ca> 

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