Effect of amiodarone on the lung shown by polarized light microscopy.
OBJECTIVE
To show lipid deposits in the lung of patients treated with amiodarone.


METHODS
Formalin-fixed, unstained frozen sections were used to reveal lipid deposits by means of polarized light. Lung tissues obtained at the postmortem examination of one patient and the surgical biopsy of another were available.


RESULTS
Birefringent lipid deposits were seen in the alveolar lining cells and macrophages, as well as in the walls of arterioles and venules.


CONCLUSIONS
To assess the effect of amiodarone on the lung, polarized light microscopy of unstained, frozen sections is a simple and rapid method.
Jacobson
W
W
Department of Paediatrics, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Stewart
S
S
Gresham
G A
GA
Goddard
M J
MJ
D000638:Amiodarone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001160:Arterioles / Q000737:chemistry; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry; D005629:Frozen Sections; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010740:Phospholipases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000032:analysis; D014699:Venules / Q000737:chemistry
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D008055:Lipids; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; D010758:Phosphorus; D010740:Phospholipases; D000638:Amiodarone