Electron-probe microanalysis. Aid in the study of skin granulomas

Several causes of noncaseating epithelioid granulomas of the skin must be considered before the diagnosis of sarcoidosis can be made. We report here three such cases that were studied retrospectively with scanning electron microscopy in combination with backscattered electron imaging and x-ray energy spectrometry. Inorganic particles were identified in the granulomas of two patients, illustrating that these techniques are valuable aids in establishing the cause of granulomas.