title: Primary amyloidosis of the mesentery and the retroperitoneum presenting with lymphedema.
abstract: We report the case of a 57-yr-old woman presenting with moderate weight loss, abdominal distension, and lymphedema of the legs and vulva. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed massive thickening of the rectal wall, mesentery, and retroperitoneum. Primary amyloidosis was diagnosed by immunohistochemistry from the rectum and duodenum. To our knowledge, lymphedema due to primary amyloidosis has not yet been reported. The diagnosis should be presumed in the case of retroperitoneal thickening and lymphedema and can be established by immunohistochemistry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine II, Institute of Pathology, University of Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Halm
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Berr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tannapfel
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Klöppel
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Secknus
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mössner
mesh_terms: D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology*; D008643:Mesentery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space