Plasma cell tumors with calcified amyloid deposition mistaken for chondrosarcoma.
OBJECTIVE
To report cases of plasmacytoma with a radiologic appearance simulating that of chondrosarcoma.


METHODS
The authors describe four cases of plasma cell tumors with scattered foci of calcification within their matrix, causing them to resemble chondrosarcoma radiographically. Histologic examination was performed in three of these cases.


RESULTS
Biopsy specimens demonstrated that the calcification in these tumors was contained in areas of amyloid deposition. Although amyloid formation in association with plasma cell dyscrasias is well known, sufficient calcification within the amyloid to become radiographically identifiable has only rarely been reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Calcification in amyloid produced by plasma cell tumors may at times simulate the appearance of chondrosarcoma.
Reinus
W R
WR
Department of Radiology, Jewish Hospital, Washington University Medical Center, St Louis, MO 63110.
Kyriakos
M
M
Gilula
L A
LA
Brower
A C
AC
Merkel
K
K
D000682:Amyloid; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002813:Chondrosarcoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002479:Inclusion Bodies / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000473:pathology; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000473:pathology; D010954:Plasmacytoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D012272:Ribs / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology
D000682:Amyloid