Hemosiderin deposition in muscle. Report of three cases

This report presents the morphological character of iron deposits in muscle biopsies of three patients who have been suffering from secondary hemochromatosis. The granules observed by light microscopy and located either in the cytoplasm of macrophages or inside muscle fibres are illustrated in electron micrographs. In this study, Thiery's technic, which is a specific and very sensitive reaction, has been very useful to confirm by electron microscopy that these granules contain iron. Such a study in muscle appears to be unique. In our experience, accumulation of hemosiderin pigment in muscle does not seem to be specific of any disease but suggests that a hepatic biopsy must be done.