PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Prescott, R J
AU  - Wells, S
TI  - Systemic argyria.
AID  - 10.1136/jcp.47.6.556
DP  - 1994 Jun 01
TA  - Journal of Clinical Pathology
PG  - 556--557
VI  - 47
IP  - 6
4099  - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/47/6/556.short
4100  - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/47/6/556.full
SO  - J Clin Pathol1994 Jun 01; 47
AB  - A 74 year old man presented with signs and symptoms of mild cardiac failure. His face and chest were severely discoloured, which was thought to be due to cyanosis. He deteriorated and died of bronchopneumonia. At post mortem examination multiple organs, including the skin, showed silver pigment deposition; he also had a gastric malignant neuroendocrine tumour. He gave no history of contact with silver compounds. Systemic argyria caused by chronic ingestion of silver compounds is a rare condition which, apart from its cosmetic effects, is thought to be relatively harmless; it is not thought to be carcinogenic. This condition can pose diagnostic problems for both clinicians and pathologists.