title: Localized amyloidosis of the tongue: a review.
abstract: Amyloidosis is a disease entity defined by the presence of extracellular deposits of proteinacious material. These deposits have a characteristic apple-green birefringence with polarized light after staining with Congo red. Amyloid involvement of the tongue is almost universally secondary to systemic disease. The mean survival of patients with a systemic form of amyloidosis is between 5 to 15 months, whereas those with the localized form have an excellent prognosis. This article presents a case of the more unusual localized form. A thorough evaluation, including abdominal fat or rectal biopsy, is essential in every patient to identify any systemic involvement. The absence of systemic amyloidosis offers a much more favorable prognosis and may be treated with simple surgical excision.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Vermont, Burlington, USA.
authors.forename: Kristen S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Fahrner
authors.forename: Candice C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: Benoit J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Gosselin
mesh_terms: D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003224:Congo Red; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D003224:Congo Red