Chrysiasis following gold therapy for rheumatoid arthritis: ultrastructural analysis with x-ray energy spectroscopy

Chrysiasis is a rare, permanent, pigmentation of the skin caused by the parenteral administration of gold preparations followed by subsequent exposure to ultraviolet light. We report a case of chrysiasis following gold therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, wherein ultrastructural analysis combined with x-ray energy spectroscopy afforded precise identification and localization of the gold pigment in skin biopsy specimens.