Electron-Probe Microanalysis

Plumbosis cutis-report of an unusual case defined by electron probe microanalysis

“…Heavy metals known to be deposited in the skin following systemic absorption include silver, mercury, bismuth and gold, and recent case reports have demonstrated the value of electron probe micro-analysis (EPM) in the identification ofthe deposits in argyria (Bleehen et al, 1981) and mercury pigmentation (Kennedy et al, 1977)-In EPM an accelerated electron beam is directed at the particle, which emits X-rays with energies characteristic of its constituent elements. This permits specific identification of inorganic material and therefore supersedes non-specific histochemical methods (Andres, Vallyathan & Madison, 1980). Using this technique we have been able to demonstrate that lead was a major constituent of the extracellular and intracellular crystalline material in our patient's skin.…”