Localized cutaneous argyria is a rare condition in which the skin changes into blue-grey spots due to the absorption of silver. The lesions need to be differentiated from other pigmentary disorders and require radiographic and histological examination for more accurate diagnosis. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy can be a confirmatory tool in the evaluation of silver elements in biopsy tissue. This report shows the localized cutaneous argyria in earlobe of a 21-year-old woman who wears silver earrings for 10 years.
Absorption ; Argyria ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Ear ; Female ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Nevus, Blue ; Silver ; Skin ; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Argyria is a rare irreversible cutaneous pigmentation disorder caused by prolonged exposure to silver. Herein, we report a case of generalized argyria that developed after chronic ingestion of soluble silver-nano particles and presented with muscle weakness. CASE PRESENTATION: A 74-year-old woman visited our emergency room, complaining of fever and mental deterioration. She was diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis and recovered after antibiotic therapy. At presentation, diffuse slate gray-bluish pigmented patches were noticed on her face and nails. Two months prior to visiting our hospital, she was diagnosed with inflammatory myopathy and given steroid therapy at another hospital. We performed a nerve conduction study that revealed polyneuropathy. In skin biopsies from pigmented areas of the forehead and nose, the histopathologic results showed brown-black granules in basement membranes of sweat gland epithelia, which are diagnostic findings of argyria. We reviewed pathology slides obtained from the left thigh muscles and found markedly degenerated myofibers with disorganization of myofibrils without inflammatory reactions, consistent with unspecified myopathy, rather than inflammatory myopathy. The patient was diagnosed with generalized argyria with polyneuropathy and myopathy and transferred to a rehabilitation institution after being tapered off of steroids. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should be aware of clinical manifestations of argyria and consider it in differential diagnosis when they examine patients who present with skin pigmentation and muscle weakness.
Aged ; Argyria* ; Basement Membrane ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Eating ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Fever ; Forehead ; Humans ; Muscle Weakness* ; Muscles ; Muscular Diseases ; Myofibrils ; Myositis ; Neural Conduction ; Nose ; Pathology ; Pigmentation Disorders ; Polyneuropathies ; Pyelonephritis ; Rehabilitation ; Silver ; Skin ; Skin Pigmentation ; Steroids ; Sweat Glands ; Thigh

A 54-year-old man ingesting silver solution over 4 years presented with cognitive impairment and progressive gait disturbance. He had diffuse gray pigmentation on his face and fingertips, suggesting argyria. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed hydrocephalus and high concentration of silver ion is in blood. This is the first case occuring hydrocephalus associated with the neurotoxicity of silver.
Argyria* ; Brain ; Gait ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Pigmentation ; Silver

No abstract available.
Argyria*

No abstract available.
Argyria ; Colloids ; Nails ; Silver

No abstract available.
Argyria ; Colloids ; Nails ; Silver

Argyria is a rare cutaneous discoloration caused by the intake of silver or various compounds containing silver. We report a case of argyria in a 73-year-old male following ingestion of colloidal silver as an alternative medicine over 5 years. He had a diffuse, slate gray discoloration of his face and hands. A biopsy specimen from the face revealed brown-black extracellular granules in the upper dermis and between collagen bundles. We also found silver particles in the mucous of the colon. The ingestion of colloidal silver appears to be increasing among patients using alternative health practices. We report this case to bring people's attention to the problems associated with the ingestion of colloidal silver.
Aged ; Argyria ; Biopsy ; Collagen ; Colloids ; Colon ; Complementary Therapies ; Dermis ; Eating ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Silver

Argyria is a rare skin discoloration caused by silver deposition. We report a case of generalized argyria caused by ingestion of silver solution in a 63-year-old man. He had diffuse slate gray discoloration of sun-exposed skin, prominent face, neck and V of the chest. The histopathologic findings showed brown black granules deposited in the basement membrane zone of eccrine glands, pilosebaceous units, arteriolar wall and dermal elastic fibers.
Argyria* ; Basement Membrane ; Eating* ; Eccrine Glands ; Elastic Tissue ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Silver* ; Skin ; Thorax

Argyria is a rare skin discoloration caused by the deposition of silver granules in the skin. We report a case of argyria occurring in a 46-year-old woman due to ingestion of colloidal silver solution over 2 years. She had a diffuse, slate gray discoloration on her face and hands. The biopsy specimen from the face revealed melanin hyperpigmentation in the epidermal basal layer. Numerous, round, tiny brown-black granules were deposited in the basement membrane surrounding eccrine glands. Silver solution is being advertised as a cure for a variety of diseases and is commercially available as a 'food supplement'. This case report highlights the potential risk of adverse effects following the use of food supplements.
Argyria* ; Basement Membrane ; Biopsy ; Colloids ; Dietary Supplements ; Eating ; Eccrine Glands ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Melanins ; Middle Aged ; Silver ; Skin

Argyria is a rare skin discoloration caused by deposition of silver granules in the skin. Recently, argyria has become uncommon, mainly due to the avoidance of both medications containing silver and occupational exposure in the silver industry. However, the recosnition of this condition remains important. We report an interesting case of generalized argyria in a 30-year old man, employed in the mobile telephone subunits industry.
Adult ; Argyria* ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; Silver ; Skin ; Telephone