DermAtlas: Dermatology Image amalgam_tattoo_1_090401 (tattoo, amalgam

Image Name:

amalgam_tattoo_1_090401

File Type:

jpg

Diagnosis:

TATTOO, AMALGAM / TATTOO

Category:

deposition disorders /
dental/oral disorder /
hyperpigmentation

Morphology:

macular / flat (macule / patch)

Organization:

discrete

Pattern:

solitary

Color:

black

Body Site:

mouth, floor of

Age:

59 years

Gender:

female

Image Year:

2009

Magnification:

40x

Stain:

hematoxylin and eosin

Contributor:

Greg Hosler, MD, PhD

First Published:

May 06, 2009

Description:

The mucosa appears normal. In the submucosa, there is an ill-defined hyperpigmented area.

Comments:

This 59 year old woman had a pigmented lesion biopsied from the floor of her mouth to rule out melanoma. This is a common scenario for amalgam tattoos. These lesions develop when metals from dental work leach into the soft tissues. Common metals implicated are silver, mercury, aluminum, etc. On histology, the pigment may be black, brown, or golden. The main differential diagnosis is a melanocytic lesion, like a blue nevus, but the tattoo pigment is acellular and often accentuated on elastic fibers.

Related Links:

Related Images:

amalgam_tattoo_2_090401

Other Resources:

PubMed: tattoo, amalgam

OMIM: tattoo, amalgam

MedlinePlus: tattoo, amalgam

Archives of Dermatology: tattoo, amalgam

eMedicine: tattoo, amalgam

Dermatology Online: tattoo, amalgam

PubMed: tattoo

OMIM: tattoo