title: Primary amyloidoma of the axis and acute spinal cord compression: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Localized primary amyloidosis is a disease characterized by a single tumor and localized amyloid deposit (amyloidoma) with no evidence of generalized amyloidosis. The occurrence of an amyloidoma in the spine is rare and only three cases affecting the axis have been previously reported. We describe the case of a 79-year-old woman presenting with a mass involving the odontoid process, responsible for an acute tetraparesia. Diagnosis of local primary amyloidosis was made after surgical excision.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Despite the critical presentation, outcome was excellent after total excision of the mass. This case can be classified as a primary localized amyloidoma. The patient did not exhibit any infection, tumor or inflammatory disease, and continued investigations failed to demonstrate other amyloid deposit after one-year follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Amyloidoma must be discussed in presence of a tumor-like mass of the odontoid process and may be responsible, as in our case, for spinal cord compression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Lille Teaching Hospital, Hôpital Roger Salengro, France. d.mulleman@chu-tours.fr
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mulleman
authors.forename: René-Marc
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Flipo
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Assaker
authors.forename: Claude-Alain
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Maurage
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chastanet
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ducoulombier
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Deprez
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Duquesnoy
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D009809:Odontoid Process; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome