Melanosis Ilei Associated with Chronic Ingestion of Oral Iron

Abstract

Melanosis can affect various parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Melanosis of the colon is not uncommon, while melanosis of the ileum is extremely rare. We report a case of melanosis ilei associated with chronic ingestion of oral iron (256 mg of ferrous sulfate once or twice daily for approximately 5 years) in a 32-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease. The findings of a colonoscopy, which was performed as a part of her medical checkup, were normal up to the cecum; however, numerous brownish-black punctuate pigmentations of the ileal mucosa were observed. Microscopic examination revealed hemosiderosis in the lamina propria of the ileal mucosa, particularly at the tips of villi. The diagnosis of melanosis (hemosiderosis) ilei was made based on the endoscopic and histological findings.

Review on melanosis coli and anthraquinone-containing traditional Chinese herbs that cause melanosis coli

“…Deficiency of vitamin E, excessive intake of unsaturated fatty acids, oxidative damage ( Wilberts et al, 2015 ), and drinking sulfate-contaminated water ( Rodríguez-Gómez et al, 2021 ) for a prolonged time have also been reported as possible factors associated with MC ( Figure 1 ). Chronic oral administration or respiratory inhalation of metallic elements ( Cha et al, 2009 ) or mineral substances ( Kim et al, 2011 ) is considered to be responsible for intestinal melanosis ( Figure 1 ). Progress in genetic polymorphisms research shows that the cytochrome P450-related genes CYP3A4, CYP3A7, UGT2B11, and UGT2B15 were significantly downregulated in MC ( Li et al, 2015 ), ( Figure 1 ).…”

Melanosis ilei induced by prolonged charcoal ingestion

“…Worldwide, the reports on melanosis ilei are very rare. Since Yoon et al [ 4 ] report a case of melanosis ilei by charcoal ingestion, only 3 cases by charcoal ingestion and 1 case by oral iron had been reported in Korea until now [ 4 - 7 ].…”