Iron in the liver may be present as ferritin or hemosiderin. Significant amounts of iron in the liver may be termed siderosis or hemosiderosis.
Iron stains: Prussian blue (Perl's, Gomori's)
Use of an iron stain:
(1) to identify brown cytoplasmic pigment
(2) to consider a disorder of iron storage
Parameters that may reported:
(1) intensity of staining
(2) focal vs diffuse
(3) cells affected (hepatocellular, Kupffer cells)
(4) anatomical zone (periportal, lobular, centrilobular)
Intensity scales may range from 0 to 3 or 4.
Staining
Scale
negative
0
minimal
1
mild
2
moderate
3
severe
4
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Specialty: Gastroenterology, Clinical Laboratory
