Conjunctival involvement in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy.
The present study is an evaluation of the possibility of using conjunctival biopsies for establishing the diagnosis of systemic amyloidosis of neuropathic type. Amyloid deposits were demonstrated in conjunctival biopsies from 15 of 16 patients with polyneuropathy and from 1 of 4 patients with vitreous opacities as the only symptom. Thus the sensitivity of conjunctival biopsies for the diagnosis of systemic amyloidosis of this type is similar to that of biopsies from other tissues. It is concluded that a conjunctival biopsy is a useful diagnostic tool since the technique is simple and there is little discomfort for the patient.
Sandgren
O
O
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Umeå, Sweden.
Hofer
P A
PA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000473:pathology*; D001706:Biopsy; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology