title: Otologic manifestations of amyloidosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe otologic manifestations of amyloidosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report of a patient with bilateral external auditory meatal stenosis secondary to amyloidosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient is a 60-year-old man who presented with several months' history of bilateral ear blockage and drainage. Physical examination revealed markedly thickened skin in each ear in the area of concha and meatus that was associated with fissuring. The meatus were markedly stenosed. The medial aspect of the external auditory canal and the tympanic membrane were normal. He had partial improvement on medical therapy with topical steroid-containing eardrops and ointment. Past medical history was positive for multiple myeloma. Meatal biopsy was performed. Grossly, the tissue was hypovascular and markedly thickened. Histopathologic examination was consistent with amyloidosis. The patient was continued on topical steroid ointments, frequent ear cleaning, and close follow-up. He was subsequently diagnosed with systemic amyloidosis. A review of the literature was done. Head and neck involvement with amyloidosis is reviewed, with emphasis on otologic manifestations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Otologic involvement with amyloidosis is extremely rare. The pathophysiology may be related to the local factors in the external auditory canal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Boston University Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: El-Sayed
authors.forename: Nicolas Y
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Busaba
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Faquin
mesh_terms: D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D001706:Biopsy; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000150:complications