[Histonet] Black pigment on Bronch Lavages

[Kathy.Johnston <@t> CLS.ab.ca]

As our pathologist was explaining his problem to me while we looked at the
slide in particular under his microscope, he said that Carbon was not the
item in question as it does not become refractile when he
polarizes/darkfield his microscope (to be honest he was whizzing objectives
and filters so fast I could barely follow him!).  I know carbon is very
common in lung, but to my eye as well, it is too fine and regular to
resemble the stuff I usually see. 


 
-----Original Message-----
From: thehud <@t> ldd.net [mailto:thehud <@t> ldd.net]
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 3:31 PM
To: Kathy.Johnston <@t> CLS.ab.ca
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Black pigment on Bronch Lavages


dear kathy, how have you ruled out carbon, as this is so common. peter h.
dohan, md


-----Original Message----- 
From: Kathy.Johnston <@t> CLS.ab.ca 
Sent: Oct 29, 2003 1:30 PM 
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 <mailto:kathy.johnston <@t> cls.ab.ca> 

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