Page created on September 25, 2018. Last updated on December 18, 2024 at 16:56
Staining: Prussian blue, HE
Organ: Liver
Description:
With the Prussian blue stain, we can see normal liver tissue with small, medium and large accumulation of blue pigment. Notably, the pigment can be seen inside the epithelial cells of the bile duct in the portal triads.
With the HE stain, the description is similar, however the pigment is brownish instead of bluish.
Diagnosis: Hemosiderosis in the liver
Causes:
- See macropreparation 11
Theory:
The pigment can not only be found in the Kupffer cells (liver macrophages), but also in hepatocytes and even in the biliary epithelial cells in the bile ducts. Cases where hemosiderosis can be seen in these biliary cells are more severe than when the biliary cells don’t have the pigment.
For more theory, see macropreparation 11.
Remember everyone, that hemosiderosis of liver is a SYSTEMIC hemosiderosis. E.g. due to repeated blood transfusions, anemia etc.
Good reminder! Anyone can read more about it here and here.
Also due to HFE-gene mutations
It’s hemochromatosis.