Localized cutaneous argyria in the ear after short-contact acupuncture

english

1999

volume 8, issue 4

Združenje slovenskih dermatovenerologov
(Obvezni izvod spletne publikacije)

We report a unique case of localized cutaneous argyria in the ear of a 39-year-old woman, which developed after short-contact acupuncture. The woman presented with a blue-black macule in the skin of her left ear. The macule was2mm in diameter and had a smooth unaltered surface. A dermatologist suggested the diagnosis of a blue nevus and excised the lesion by punch biopsyspecimen revealed, in the connective tissue, a brown-black granules werefound. The analysis of the chemical nature of the granules in an unstainedparaffin section was performed by a laser microprobe mass analyzer and determined the presence of silver in the tissue section. 20 years ago, ourpatient had undergone five session of short contact acupuncture in her earsbecause of lumbalgia. 10 years later, she noticed the blue-black macule inher left ear. We believe that during one of the short session of ear acupuncture, a small particle of a silver needle might accidentally have been deposited. This small silver particle then, over the years, could have led to the development of localizated cutaneous argyria presenting as a blue-black macule in the skin of the left ear of the patient.

16.09.2022