Methods for X-ray microanalysis of epidermis: the effect of local anaesthesia

The effect of local anaesthesia on the elemental content of cells in human epidermis was studied by electron probe X-ray microanalysis. Local anaesthesia with lidocaine was given by intracutaneous injection within 1 min prior to taking a skin biopsy. Biopsies taken without local anaesthesia were used as controls. Lidocaine with or without adrenaline caused a significant increase in the concentrations of Na and Cl, and a decrease in the concentration of K in the cells of the stratum basale and the stratum spinosum, compared with the control samples. The presence of adrenalin in the anaesthetic did not change the effect of lidocaine. The effects of local anaesthesia have to be considered in planning and interpretation of clinical applications of X-ray microanalysis.