Demonstration of iron and thorium in autopsy tissues by X-ray microanalysis

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Pathology

Background:

• Accurate elemental analysis of biological tissues is crucial for understanding disease pathology and the effects of medical interventions.
• Thorium dioxide was historically used in angiography, and its long-term tissue deposition is of interest.
• Hemochromatosis involves iron overload, necessitating methods for quantifying tissue iron content.

Purpose of the Study:

• To apply x-ray microanalysis in scanning-transmission electron microscopy mode for elemental detection in human autopsy tissues.
• To confirm the presence of thorium in tissues from a patient with a history of thorium dioxide angiography.
• To confirm the presence of iron in tissues from a patient with hemochromatosis and examine staining reagent effects.

Main Methods:

• Autopsy tissue specimens were analyzed using x-ray microanalysis.
• Scanning-transmission electron microscopy mode was employed for high-resolution imaging and elemental analysis.
• The influence of various staining reagents on the analytical results was investigated.

Main Results:

• X-ray microanalysis successfully identified and confirmed the presence of thorium in the tissues of the angiography patient.
• Elemental analysis confirmed elevated iron levels in the tissues of the hemochromatosis patient.
• The study documented the effects of different staining reagents on the microanalytical data.

Conclusions:

• X-ray microanalysis is a viable technique for detecting specific elements like thorium and iron in human autopsy tissues.
• The findings support the utility of this method in pathological investigations and toxicological studies.
• Understanding staining reagent effects is important for accurate elemental quantification in electron microscopy-based analyses.