Localized Cutaneous Argyria at the Site of a Prior Melanoma Excision Confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy With Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis.

ABSTRACT: Localized cutaneous argyria is a rare condition caused by the accumulation of silver particles in the skin, leading to blue-gray discoloration. Argyria may mimic melanoma and lead to misdiagnosis. We present a patient with a history of melanoma that developed a blue-gray nodule at a prior melanoma graft. The diagnosis was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray analysis. These techniques differentiate argyria from melanoma and can be performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, tissue sections. Health care providers should be alert that argyria may mimic recurrent melanoma in patients unaware of silver exposure.

Exogenous pigmentation by silver nitrate: Dermatological and toxicological aspects, case report / [Pigmentación exógena por nitrato de plata: aspectos dermatológicos y toxicológicos, a propósito de un caso].

Exogenous pigmentation by silver nitrate is a rare disease whose clinical manifestations appear even years after the contact, making its diagnosis difficult on occasions. It is characterized by the presence of blue-gray macules or plaques on the skin or mucosa in the contact area, sometimes very similar to melanocytic lesions and melanoma, which constitute the main differential diagnosis. We report the case of a male patient from Medellín, Colombia, with a family history of melanoma and the presence of these lesions throughout his body.

La pigmentación exógena por nitrato de plata es una enfermedad poco frecuente, cuyas manifestaciones clínicas pueden aparecer años después del contacto, lo que en ocasiones dificulta su diagnóstico. Se caracteriza por la presencia de máculas o placas azul-grisáceas en la piel o las mucosas de la zona de contacto que, en ocasiones, son muy similares a las lesiones melanocíticas y al melanoma, sus principales diagnósticos diferenciales. Se reporta el caso de un paciente de Medellín, Colombia, con antecedentes familiares de melanoma y presencia de estas lesiones en todo el cuerpo.

Occupational Localized Cutaneous Argyria With Pseudo-Ochronosis in a Jeweler.

ABSTRACT: A case of localized argyria in a 36-year-old female jeweler is described who presented with 2 discrete and asymptomatic bluish-black pigmented macules on the pulp of her left middle finger. A skin biopsy from both lesions demonstrated deposition of brown/black pigmented granules along the basement membrane zone of eccrine glands, blood vessels, nerves, and the dermo-epidermal junction fully in keeping with silver deposition. In addition, there was yellow-brown deposition seen within the interstitial dermis mimicking an early form of ochronosis, so called "pseudo-ochronosis." This latter feature is rarely described in cases of argyria. Transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy confirmed the presence of electron dense particles up to 150 nm in diameter and the presence of silver, respectively. On further questioning, the patient had a history of localized and chronic exposure to silver, which specifically involved holding and manipulating silver wires and rings over the left middle finger. This case highlights an unusual and rare presentation of localized argyria in a jeweler. In addition, our case showed preferential silver deposition on dermal elastic fibers which has not been previously described in the literature.

Effective laser treatment options for argyria: Review of literatures.

BACKGROUND: Argyria results from silver accumulation in the skin. It is a stressful condition for patients due to skin discoloration. In the past, no effective treatments were available. However, it has been recently reported laser treatments showed promising results. AIM: To review and summarize all reported laser treatment options for argyria patients. METHODS: We reviewed all laser treatment options for argyria in the database of the US National Library of Medicine PubMed. The search of the words "argyria and laser" was performed on the March 4, 2020. RESULTS: We found 11 studies that reported laser treatment for argyria. All of the studies were case reports demonstrating treatment responses of laser devices such as 1064 nm Nd:Yag laser and 755 nm alexandrite laser. Despite various treatment parameters, 1064 nm Nd:Yag and alexandrite lasers showed good responses in argyria. However, severe pain during the laser procedure was the main concern. We summarized laser treatment options for argyria including their parameters, treatment response, and anesthesia for laser treatment in argyria. We also report a case of argyria, which successfully responded to low fluence 1064 nm Nd:Yag laser. CONCLUSION: Laser therapies resulted in almost complete clearing of pigment in argyria. Earlier reports showed that 1064 nm Nd:Yag laser successfully treated argyria but recent studies suggested 755 nm alexandrite was also a good treatment option for argyria. Additionally, our case achieved excellent results even in one session of low fluence Q-switched Nd:Yag laser, though we need to ensure pain control during the laser treatment.

Argyria, an Unexpected Case of Skin Discoloration From Colloidal Silver Salt Ingestion.

BACKGROUND: Argyria is a rare condition characterized by gray/blue dislocation of the skin caused by chronic exposure to silver salts. CASE REPORT: We review the case of an 81-year-old man who presented to the emergency department after a motor vehicle accident, was incidentally found to have skin discoloration, and was ultimately diagnosed with argyria. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Although most emergency physicians will not complete a toxicology fellowship, all emergency physicians are on the front line of toxicological presentations and should be able to recognize argyria and differentiate this condition from other causes of skin discoloration.

Unsafe Deposits: Overlapping Cutaneous Manifestations of Porphyria Cutanea Tarda, Ochronosis, Hemochromatosis, and Argyria.

Cutaneous deposition disorders represent an array of conditions resulting from the accumulation of endogenous and exogenous substances within the skin. Many of the deposition diseases resemble each other and can also be confused with disorders not related to deposition. Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) results from dysfunction particularly in the fifth enzyme of the heme synthesis pathway, leading to increased skin fragility and bullae among other abnormalities. Ochronosis develops from alkaptonuria or exogenous sources, creating deposition of ocher-colored pigment in the skin. Hemochromatosis is a systemic disorder that can be inherited or acquired, altering skin pigmentation in more than 90% of patients. PCT can be an initial manifestation of hemochromatosis. Argyria is an acquired disorder of silver deposition that can also cause pigmentation similar to ochronosis. These uncommon but not rare disorders may resemble and be confused with each other in multiple ways.

Occupational Argyria of the Nasal Mucosa.

A biopsy specimen from the nasal mucosa of a 37-year-old man disclosed a subepithelial accumulation of black granules mainly running parallel to the surface in the absence of any inflammatory infiltrate. Since the mucosal pigment was negative with Perls' stain and resisted to melanin bleach, an exogenous pigmentation was suspected. The biopsy specimen had been taken because of a diffuse steel-blue pigmentation of the nasal mucosa, incidentally discovered during routine clinical examination. A diagnosis of occupational argyria of the nasal mucosa was finally made since the patient was a silver cleaner. Argyria is a rare cause of nasopharyngeal mucosal pigmentation; it is not a precancerous condition, but it can be mistaken for a melanosis or a melanocytic tumor both clinically and histopathologically. Clinicopathological correlation is mandatory, since the final diagnosis is based on a history of chronic silver exposure.