Microanalysis in biology and medicine: ultrastructural localization of aluminum.

Four methods for the ultrastructural tracing of elements in man and animal are discussed. In addition to histochemical staining, emphasis was put on three innovative sophisticated microanalytical techniques: electron probe X-ray microanalysis, secondary ion mass spectrometry, and laser microprobe mass analysis. The principles and merits of these methods for microanalysis are reviewed. The application of these techniques for the detection of aluminum at the microscopic level is described in detail because of the clinical importance of this metal in severe chronic renal failure. A literature survey concerning the microanalysis of aluminum in biology and medicine is presented.