[Histonet] Black pigment on Bronch Lavages

[Mark Hayes]

HI

 

Do you have access to an electron microscope?  If so does it have an
EDAX (if my memory serves me correctly) attachment or can you send it to
one.   I used one of these many years ago (circa 1982) at Sydney
University to identify and semiquantitate some unique gold chloride
crystals.   EDAX or EDX stands for energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis
(EDX).  If you can isolate your specs onto an EM target you should at
least be able to get an elemental analysis.   Titanium oxide is also a
component of paint and is utterly inert – I think it needs HF to
dissolve it.  Hope this helps.

 

Cheers MarkH

 

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-admin <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-admin <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of
Kathy.Johnston <@t> CLS.ab.ca
Sent: Thursday, 30 October 2003 7:30 AM
To: histonet <@t> pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Black pigment on Bronch Lavages

 






 

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

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