Argyria: Electron Microscopy and X-ray Microanalysis

Abstract

An electron microscopic X-ray microanalysis using a specific X-ray instrument to elucidate chemical components of cell organelles and to analyze metals, elements and ions in cells has been developed. This paper deals with the results of X-ray microanalysis of electron-opaque particles observed in electron micrographs of the skin of a 62 year-old Japanese man with generalized argyria. Electron-opaque particles were recognized in the basal lamina surrounding eccrine sweat glands, between the muscle cells and between collagen fibers. Electron-opaque particles in light-exposed areas of the skin were irregular in shape, whereas about half of the electron-opaque particles in the non-exposed area of the skin were rounded hi shape. Silver and sulfur were detected in the irregular shaped electron-opaque particles and silver, sulfur and chlorine were detected in rounded electron-opaque particles.