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Localized argyria with pseudo-ochronosis: A report of two cases highlighting involvement of elastic fibers Pseudo-ochronosis in localized argyria was first reported in 2002,[1] when they described ochre-colored swollen homogenized collagen bundles seen on biopsy of localized argyria in the absence of the typical causes of ochronosis. Keywords: argyria; elastic fibers; localized argyria; pseudo-ochronosis EN argyria elastic fibers localized argyria pseudo-ochronosis 815 818 4 08/16/23 20230901 NES 230901 INTRODUCTION Argyria, either localized or generalized, is a rare dermatologic condition where the deposition of silver within skin or mucous membranes results in grayish-blue pigmentation that can be appreciated clinically. [Extracted from the article]

We describe a 53-year-old man in good general health who presented with an 8-month history of progressive gray hyperpigmentation of the face. He denied using any prescription medications; however, he admitted to taking a herbal supplement. Clinically, the differential diagnosis included hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease and hyperpigmentation secondary to supplement use. Punch biopsies from the left forehead and preauricular region showed heavily sun-damaged skin with a minimal inflammatory infiltrate. Closer inspection, however, revealed minute scattered black/brown particles distributed in the basement membrane zone of eccrine and sebaceous glands. Similar particles were also present in hair follicles, blood vessels and arrector pili muscles. The particles did not stain with Gomori methenamine silver, Fontana-Masson or iron stains. Electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray analysis showed numerous particles, less than 1 µm in greatest dimension, which showed peaks for silver and sulfur. This analytical result confirmed the impression of argyria. Further history revealed that the patient had indeed been taking a silver supplement for several months under the premise that it would boost his immune system. This case is unique in that the patient's hyperpigmentation developed in a short period of time as compared with other reports in the medical literature. Bowden LP, Royer MC, Hallman JR, Lewin-Smith M, Lupton GP. Rapid onset of argyria induced by a silver-containing dietary supplement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Silver dressings have been widely and successfully used to prevent cutaneous wounds, including burns, chronic ulcers, dermatitis and other cutaneous conditions, from infection. However, in a few cases, skin discolouration or argyria-like appearances have been reported. This study investigated the level of silver in scar tissue post-burn injury following application of Acticoat™, a silver dressing. Methods: A porcine deep dermal partial thickness burn model was used. Burn wounds were treated with this silver dressing until completion of re-epithelialization, and silver levels were measured in a total of 160 scars and normal tissues. Results: The mean level of silver in scar tissue covered with silver dressings was 136 μg/g, while the silver level in normal skin was less than 0.747 μg/g. A number of wounds had a slate-grey appearance, and dissection of the scars revealed brown-black pigment mostly in the middle and deep dermis within the scar. The level of silver and the severity of the slate-grey discolouration were correlated with the length of time of the silver dressing application. Conclusions: These results show that silver deposition in cutaneous scar tissue is a common phenomenon, and higher levels of silver deposits and severe skin discolouration are correlated with an increase in the duration of this silver dressing application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Argyria is often considered an entity of the past, one which has largely disappeared with the cessation of silver usage in oral medications. However, with the practice of colloidal silver ingestion in current “alternative health” treatments, argyria should be considered in the differential diagnosis of blue-gray hyperpigmentation. Methods: A single case report with clinicopathological correlation. Results: Histological examination of skin biopsy specimen, which showed perieccrine brown-black granules, verified that colloidal silver rather than a prescribed medication was the source of the patient’s dyspigmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generalized argyria is the systemic dissemination and tissue deposition of silver in several organs of the body: liver, spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, muscles, lung and skin. A distinctive hyperpigmentation, most pronounced on exposed areas, is the main, often the only, sign of this otherwise asymptomatic condition. Argyria, which used to be not uncommon when silver salts were still in frequent medical use, now seems mainly due to occupational conditions. A case of argyria with a diagnosis of hemochromatosis is reported.