Silicon Dioxide Particles Deposited in Vessels and Cartilage of the Femoral Head.
10.3349/ymj.2014.55.5.1447
- Author:
Min XU
1
;
Meiying QING
;
Dan PENG
Author Information
1. Department of Intensive Care Unit, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, P. R. China.
- Publication Type:Case Reports
- Keywords:
Silicon dioxide;
vessels;
cartilage;
femoral head
- MeSH:
Blood Vessels/*chemistry;
Cartilage/*chemistry;
Femur Head/*pathology;
Humans;
Lung/*radiography;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Silicon Dioxide/*analysis;
Silicosis/*diagnosis;
Synovitis/*pathology
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal
2014;55(5):1447-1449
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Silicosis had been considered for decades as an illness with manifestations of lung fibrosis due to inhalation of overconcentrated SiO2 dust. To the best of our knowledge, studies have yet to report SiO2 deposits in any other tissues and organs. In the present case, while performing bilateral artificial total hip arthroplasty for one patient, we found that the articular cartilage of the bilateral femoral head was black. Therefore, specimens thereof were sent for pathological examination. Pathological examination (immunohistochemistry) and polarized light microscopy revealed the presence of considerable brown, acicular, rhombic, and crumb-like crystals. The crystals were mainly composed of SiO2. SiO2 could deposit in vessels and femoral head cartilage via blood circulation.
