Comparative light microscopical and X-ray microanalysis study of barium granuloma.
A barium granuloma occurring in the gastric wall was examined by various light microscopical methods and with the scanning electron microscope in association with an energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer. Barium sulphate is present in the form of a slightly granular, yellowish and greenish substance within the cytoplasm of macrophages, and shows no birefringence. Needle-shaped and rhomboid birefringent crystals are rich in magnesium and silicon, and most probably present talc crystals, one of the admixtures in common commercial preparations used for contrast x-ray examination of the gastrointestinal tract, rather than crystals of barium sulphate proper as erroneously interpreted in the literature.
D001464:Barium / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D005260:Female; D006099:Granuloma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology
D001464:Barium