title: Amyloidosis of the upper aerodigestive tract.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To delineate the clinical and pathologic characteristics of upper aerodigestive tract amyloidosis with particular attention to laryngeal amyloidosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective chart review of patients with amyloidosis of Thomas Jefferson University and its affiliated hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  The charts of 16 patients with upper aerodigestive tract amyloidosis identified from the databases of the Thomas Jefferson University pathology department were reviewed and included in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen patients (9 male and 7 female, with an average age of 49.8 years) with upper aerodigestive tract amyloidosis were identified. The most common site of amyloid involvement was the larynx. Consequently, patients most commonly presented with hoarseness (14 of 16). All patients underwent surgical removal of the amyloid deposits. Fourteen patients had primary localized amyloidosis. Two experienced systemic involvement. Seven of the 16 patients developed recurrences requiring further treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Amyloidosis of the upper aerodigestive tract generally behaves as a benign, localized condition treatable by surgical resection. Regular follow-up with laryngoscopy is indicated for early diagnosis of recurrence, and multiple surgical procedures may be required to control symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 1721 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Edmund
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pribitkin
authors.forename: Oren
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: O'Hara
authors.forename: Mary F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Cunnane
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Levi
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Keane
authors.forename: Robert T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Sataloff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006685:Hoarseness / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009302:Nasopharyngeal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014827:Vocal Cords