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Melanosis (haemosiderosis) ilei
F N Ghadially1, S A Boone, V M Walley
1Canadian Reference Centre for Cancer Pathology, Ottawa Civic Hospital, Ontario.
Journal of Submicroscopic Cytology and Pathology
|October 1, 1994
Summary
This case report details melanosis ilei, a rare condition causing greyish-black pigmentation of the small intestine lining. Pigment granules identified as haemosiderin were found in macrophages within the ileal villi.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pathology
- Histology
Background:
- Melanosis ilei is a rare condition characterized by dark pigmentation of the ileal mucosa.
- The exact cause and histological basis of melanosis ilei are not fully understood.
Observation:
- Gross examination revealed greyish-black pigmentation of the ileal mucosa during an autopsy.
- Microscopic analysis identified Prussian blue positive pigment granules within macrophages in the lamina propria of the villi.
Findings:
- Ultrastructural examination confirmed the pigment granules were siderosomes, the electron microscopic form of haemosiderin.
- This is the first reported case attributing ileal mucosal pigmentation to haemosiderin deposition.
Implications:
- This finding expands the understanding of melanosis ilei's pathophysiology.
- Highlights the importance of considering haemosiderin in the differential diagnosis of intestinal pigmentation.