PubMed · 5641100
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W C Peterson. 1968. Argyria.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/5641100/
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Silver can be absorbed through ingestion, topical administration, or inhalation. Generalized argyria results from deposition of silver in the skin, nails, mucous membranes, and internal organs and is characterized by a diffuse bluish-gray discoloration in sun-exposed areas. We report two cases of generalized argyria in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) therapy for more than 15 years. They presented with diffuse hyperpigmentation of the face that was mistaken to be related to uremia and bluish-gray discoloration of all nails believed to be cyanosis. Histopathologic examination of skin biopsy specimens showed characteristic findings of argyria, which was further confirmed by radiograph microanalysis. Their serum silver levels were also elevated. No definite silver source could be determined. However, their argyria might be related to their long-term HD therapy because (1) they had been on HD therapy for more than 15 years and the discoloration appeared several years afterward, and (2) the water used for HD was not well processed in the early 1980s in TAIWAN: Argyria should be suspected in chronic HD patients presenting with a diffuse bluish-gray discoloration of the skin and nails and evaluated carefully by skin biopsy.
PURPOSE: To document the clinical and histopathologic corneal features of a patient who developed multifocal corneal argyrosis after a chemical explosion injury with unusual involvement of the corneal stroma and keratocytes. METHODS: The corneal button was investigated by light and transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive x-ray microanalysis. RESULTS: Clinically, the patient showed dark discoloration of the lids, periocular skin, episclera, and conjunctiva and had multiple brown dots in the superficial layers of the cornea. Microscopic examination of the cornea showed diffuse deposition of silver particles in the epithelial basement membrane, Bowman's layer, and Descemet's membrane. In the corneal stroma, silver granules accumulated intracellularly within lysosomal structures of degenerative keratocytes and extracellularly in association with collagen fibers and cellular debris. Energy-dispersive x-ray analysis showed peaks of silver and sulfur. CONCLUSION: The toxic influence of intracellular accumulation of silver in stromal keratocytes may lead to cell damage and necrosis and result in visual impairment.
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