Drug toxicity

Drug toxicity, also drug reaction, in pathology is often a diagnosis of exclusion. Few drugs leave a distinctive histomorphologic pattern.

This article covers a few of the distinctive histomorphologic pattern and links to other articles that deal with specific organ systems.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate

AKA Kayexalate

General

• Used to treat hyperkalemia.

Microscopic

Features:

• Purple blobs on H&E stain - look somewhat like calcium phosphate.
• Can cause focal necrosis.

Image:

• Kayexalate crystals and adenocarcinoma (WC).

See also

• Drug-induced liver disease.