Amyloidosis is characterized by an abnormal extracellular deposition of amyloid in different tissues and organs, where it usually causes some type of dysfunction. Its cause is unknown. The two main forms of amyloidosis are systemic and localized; the latter is rare. No satisfactory treatment for systemic amyloidosis has been discovered, and mean survival is poor, ranging from 5 to 15 months depending on the presence or absence of multiple myeloma. We report a case of primary systemic amyloidosis in a 71-year-old man. The diagnosis of amyloidosis was established by tongue biopsy, and its systemic nature was identified by analysis of aspirated abdominal fat. At the 1-year follow-up, the patient's clinical condition had not changed, and he was thereafter lost to follow-up.
References
1.
BriggsG.W.Amyloidosis. Ann Intern Med1961; 55: 943–57.
2.
WongC.K., WangW.J.Systemic amyloidosis. A report of 19 cases. Dermatology1994; 189: 47–51.
3.
KyleR.A., BayrdE.D.Amyloidosis: Review of 236 cases. Medicine (Baltimore)1975; 54: 271–99.
4.
KernerM.M., WangM.B., AngierG.Amyloidosis of the head and neck. A clinicopathologic study of the UCLA experience, 1955–1991. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg1995; 121: 778–82.
5.
SimpsonG.T.II, StrongM.S., SkinnerM., CohenA.S.Localized amyloidosis of the head and neck and upper aerodigestive and lower respiratory tracts. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol1984; 93(4 Pt 1): 374–9.
KyleR.A., GreippP.R.Amyloidosis (AL): Clinical and laboratory features in 229 cases. Mayo Clin Proc1983; 58: 665–83.
9.
JacobsP., SellarsS., KingH.S.Massive macroglossia, amyloidosis and myeloma. Postgrad Med J1988; 64: 696–8.
10.
RaubenheimerE.J., DauthJ., de ConingJ.P.Multiple myeloma presenting with extensive oral and perioral amyloidosis. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol1986; 61: 492–7.
11.
LohF.C., RavindranathanN., YeoT.F.Amyloidosis with oral involvement. Case report. Aust Dent J1990; 35: 14–18.
BabajewsA.Occult multiple myeloma associated with amyloid of the tongue. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg1985; 23: 298–303.
14.
ReinishE.I., RavivM., SrolovitzH., GornitskyM.Tongue, primary amyloidosis, and multiple myeloma. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol1994; 77: 121–5.
15.
ChenK.T.Amyloidosis presenting in the respiratory tract. Pathol Annu1989; 24 Pt 1: 253–73.
16.
LewisJ.E., OlsenK.D., KurtinP.J., KyleR.A.Laryngeal amyloidosis: A clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical review. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg1992; 106: 372–7.
17.
KramerR., SomM.L.Local tumor-like deposits of amyloid. Arch Otolaryngol1935; 21: 324–34.
18.
TimoscaG., GavrilitaL.Primary localized amyloidosis of the palate. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol1977; 44: 76–83.
19.
BeiserM., MesserG., SamuelJ.Amyloidosis of Waldeyer's ring. A clinical and ultrastructural report. Acta Otolaryngol1980; 89: 562–9.
20.
PizovG., SofferD.Amyloid tumor (amyloidoma) of a peripheral nerve. Arch Pathol Lab Med1986; 110: 969–70.
21.
KerrP.D., DortJ.C.Primary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the salivary glands. J Laryngol Otol1991; 105: 687–92.
22.
WestermarkP., StenkvistB.A new method for the diagnosis of systemic amyloidosis. Arch Intern Med1973; 132: 522–3.
23.
HawkinsP.N., LavenderJ.P., PepysM.B.Evaluation of systemic amyloidosis by scintigraphy with 123I-labeled serum amyloid P component. N Engl J Med1990; 323: 508–13.
24.
O'DohertyD.P., NeoptolemosJ.P., BouchD.C., WoodK.F.Surgical complications of amyloid disease. Postgrad Med J1987; 63: 281–6.
25.
DendyR.A., DaviesJ.R., GorstD.W.A tongue resection in macroglossia due to primary amyloidosis. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg1989; 27: 329–33.
