American Journal of Clinical Pathology · 1980 · 39 citations · 0 references
MedicineDermatologyPathologyHistologyHistopathologyTumor PathologyHistological StainingHistopathology Of Skin TumorsMelanocytic LesionsMelanocytic TumorsStaining TechniquesTumor HistopathologyFontana-masson StainingMalignant Melanocytic LesionsMalignant Melanocytic TumorsMelanocytic Neoplasm PathologyMelanocytic Tumor HistopathologyMelanocytic Tumor ImmunohistochemistryMelanoma DiagnosisWarthin-starry Staining
The Warthin-Starry argyrophilic silver stain peformed at pH 3.2 is a highly effective method for the demonstration of melanin in tissue sections. Eighty-five melanocytic tumors were studied using the Warthin-Starry and the Fontana-Masson procedures. The Warthin-Starry technic stained a greater number of cells in 68% of the tumors, with no loss of cellular detail. Twenty-three per cent of the tumors that appeared amelanotic on hematoxylin-and-eosin-stained sections were positive for melanin with the Warthin-Starry stain, but negative with the Fontana-Masson technic. The Warthin-Starry stain is more sensitive and specific for melanin than is the Fontana-Masson procedure.