Xanthochromia

Xanthochromia is a medical term that describes the yellow coloration of the skin or cerebrospinal fluid. Although the term can be used to describe jaundice, which is a common condition, it is more commonly used to describe changes in the cerebrospinal fluid.

Cerebrospinal fluid (cerebral fluid) is the fluid that surrounds and protects the spinal cord and brain of a person. This fluid plays an important role in maintaining the health of the central nervous system. Typically, cerebrospinal fluid is clear and colorless. However, if it contains hemoglobin breakdown products that have entered it from red blood cells (erythrocytes), it may acquire a yellow color - xanthochromia.

Xanthochromia of the cerebrospinal fluid can be caused by various reasons, such as cerebral hemorrhages, infections, tumors, head trauma and other diseases. If xanthochromia is present in the cerebrospinal fluid, doctors usually conduct additional tests to determine the cause of this phenomenon and determine further treatment.

In conclusion, xanthochromia is a condition that can be caused by a variety of reasons and can manifest as yellow discoloration of the skin as well as changes in the composition of the cerebrospinal fluid. If you suspect you may have xanthochromia, contact your doctor for more information and advice.

Xanthochrome lesions result from the deposition of iron and bilirubin in the skin and surrounding tissue matrix. Essentially, this is a combination of hemochromatosis and hemolytic anemia, when the level of iron in the body increases and it is deposited outside the blood vessels. In this case, not enough iron is released to restore hemoglobin in red blood cells. Due to this, they continue to break down faster than usual, turning the blood dark brown (so-called hemolytic jaundice). In this situation, the pigment does not have time to get into the red blood cell and accumulates inside it, turning the cells yellow and then the skin.

Jaundice is the result of a large amount of bilirubin, hemoglobin remains damaged, and iron deposition continues as a result of hemolysis. Together with bilirubin, the protein globulin enters the cells. It also stains, giving the skin a yellow tint. Due to the overabundance of bilirubin bile, clusters of Goltz giant cells and reticulo clusters are visible under the microscope