Widespread aluminium deposition in extracerebral organ systems of patients with dialysis-associated encephalopathy

Abstract

We have described new silver-staining methods for the demonstration of lesions in senile dementia of the Alzheimer type. The same procedure was used to visualize characteristic aluminium (Al)-containing inclusions in choroid epithelium, glia and neurons of the central nervous system in dialysis-associated encephalopathy (DAE). Here we describe the patterns and degree of Al deposition in extracerebral tissues of 12 DAE autopsy cases. Light microscopy of silver-stained paraffin sections demonstrated autonomic ganglion cells filled with numerous intracytoplasmic black-stained fine granular inclusions, which were also seen in endocrine tissues (pituitary, parathyroid and adrenal) and in Leydig cells. Heart, liver cells and the testicular tubules were involved, but decalcified bones, haematopoetic elements, hyperplastic epithelium and one case of malignant epithelium lacked inclusions. Laser microprobe mass analysis revealed prominent Al-related mass signals within the en-bloc silver-stained inclusions which were seen at low intensity in adjacent non-stained structures. Electron microscopy demonstrated accumulations of small electron-dense granules intermingling with lipopigments.