Hemosiderin-laden macrophages
Pronunciation: HEE-mo-SID-er-in LAY-den MAK-ro-fay-jez
Inflammatory cells containing iron-rich deposits, indicating previous hemorrhage or chronic congestion in cardiac tissue.
Full Definition
Hemosiderin-laden macrophages are tissue macrophages that have phagocytosed iron-containing hemosiderin deposits, typically resulting from red blood cell breakdown after hemorrhage or chronic vascular congestion. In cardiac pathology, these cells serve as markers of previous bleeding episodes, heart failure with chronic congestion, or vascular injury. Histologically, they appear as large cells with golden-brown, granular cytoplasm on routine H&E staining. The iron content can be confirmed using Prussian blue (Perls) stain, which turns the hemosiderin deposits bright blue. The presence of these cells helps pathologists identify areas of previous cardiac injury and assess the chronicity of pathological processes.
Usage
Usage note: Use hyphens in 'hemosiderin-laden' when used as a compound adjective. Consider confirming with Prussian blue stain.
In Context
- "Numerous hemosiderin-laden macrophages in the alveolar spaces suggested chronic left heart failure." — Pulmonary pathology in cardiac case
- "The presence of hemosiderin-laden macrophages indicated previous episodes of myocardial hemorrhage." — Cardiac autopsy report