Argyria Case in an Elderly Hong Kong Patient Details

An 84-year-old man in Hong Kong sought care for urinary concerns, but clinicians soon noticed a striking blue-gray tint spreading across his skin, the whites of his eyes, and his nails. A blood test revealed silver levels markedly elevated, approximately forty times higher than what is normally seen. The appearance pointed toward argyria, a rare condition caused by the buildup of silver in body tissues. In this case, researchers describe how silver tended to accumulate in tissues, forming small granules within the membranes of sweat glands, the walls of blood vessels, and skin fibers. The hue had evolved over several years, becoming more noticeable about five years earlier, and the patient reported no recent exposure to silver through work or home life. Doctors documented a puzzling pattern that challenged the usual expectations of silver exposure. The patient’s presenting urinary problems were ultimately secondary to this striking change in color.