[Abnormal concentration of aluminium in the lysosomes of a primary parathyroid adenoma]

A primitive parathyroid adenoma has been studied by electron microscopy, analytical ion microscopy and electron probe X ray analysis. A number of lysosomal structures has been observed in the cells. Observation of unstained ultrathin sections shows that these lysosomes contain two varieties of structures: dense homogeneous droplets and very dense and small granulations. Aluminium associated with phosphorus has been detected in high concentration in the small granulations. The relations between aluminium and parathyroid function and the possible role of aluminium in the pathology of the parathyroid gland remain to be clarified.