Department
of Podiatry - Vascular Assessment
Haemosiderin
deposits
Haemosiderin
(haima + sideros, iron) deposits are yellow-to-brown iron-rich
pigments that are a product of red blood cell or erythrocyte haemolysis
(destruction). They may occur in various tissues throughout the body due
to both localised and systemic causes (Cotran, 1999).
Haemosiderin tend to develop when there is a localised or systemic excess
of iron. The mechanism by which this occurs is haemosiderosis, whereby
the pressure from chronic venous insufficiency, usually coupled with oedema,
results in destruction of erythrocytes, releasing haemoglobin, which turns
into haemosiderin (Lorimer et al., 1999, Cotran, 1999, LTU PM331 manual).
In the leg, vascular induced haemosiderosis presents as yellow to brown
“freckly” pigments, most commonly on the dorsum of the lower
third of the leg and around the malleoli.
Haemosiderin deposits themselves don’t cause damage: The deposits
lie within the cytoplasm and don’t impede cell or organ function
(Cotran, 1999). However, they are a useful diagnostic tool to the podiatrist,
as they indicate some venous insufficiency within the leg vasculature,
and are easily and non-invasively observed.
Atrophie
blanche with haemosiderin deposition.
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