**Question:** Liver in hemochromatosis is stained by -

A. PAS (Picro Sirius Red)
B. Mallory-Denk bodies
C. Oil Red O
D. Fontana-Masson stain

**Core Concept:** Hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder causing excessive iron absorption, leading to iron overload in various organs. Liver involvement in hemochromatosis can be assessed using specific staining techniques to highlight iron deposits.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**

In hemochromatosis, iron accumulates in the liver, specifically in hepatocytes, causing their degeneration and necrosis. The correct stain for evaluating liver iron overload is Fontana-Masson stain. This stain is based on the Prussian blue method, which utilizes potassium ferrocyanide and hydrochloric acid to bind with ferrous iron (Fe++) present in excess iron, forming a blue-black deposit. It specifically highlights the iron deposits in hepatocytes, making it useful in evaluating iron overload disorders like hemochromatosis.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**

A. PAS (Picro Sirius Red) is a stain for glycogen and collagen, not iron. It is used for evaluating glycogen storage diseases and fibrosis.
B. Mallory-Denk bodies are seen in alcoholic liver disease, not hemochromatosis. They are not relevant to this scenario.
C. Oil Red O is a lipid stain used for evaluating steatosis, not iron overload.

**Core Concept:**

Hemochromatosis can be diagnosed and monitored using liver biopsy, where staining techniques like Fontana-Masson stain are employed to detect iron overload. The correct stain helps in assessing liver iron content and its correlation with clinical parameters like serum ferritin levels.

**Clinical Pearl:**

In hemochromatosis diagnosis, liver biopsy followed by Fontana-Masson stain is a crucial step to confirm iron overload and plan treatment accordingly. Consultation with a hematologist is recommended when dealing with iron overload disorders to ensure appropriate management strategies.