Detection and distribution of aluminium in bone

The distribution of aluminium has been investigated using a new histochemical technique in transiliac bone biopsy specimens from 20 patients with aluminium related bone disease and 17 with other metabolic bone diseases. The method, which employs solochrome azurine at acid pH (acid solochrome azurine), showed a wider distribution of aluminium within cortical and trabecular bone than other histochemical techniques. The results compared well with atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis of these biopsy specimens. Wavelength dispersive electron probe analysis of serial sections validated the procedure. The method has certain advantages over both these analytical techniques.