[On the precision of copper determination in liver punctates by neutron activation analysis]

Variation in the copper contents of liver biopsy specimens was determined by destructive activation analysis of 39 punctates of one liver. The error of method was evaluated by repeated analysis of both the NBS standard Bovine Liver material and homogenized liver. The inhomogeneity of the biopsy specimens with regard to their copper concentrations was shown by comparison of the coefficients of variation. Because of the relatively small variability of the copper concentrations, however, the analysis of single liver punctates provides adequate information for the diagnosis and course of Morbus Wilson.