title: Ocular copper deposition associated with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance: case report.
abstract: To report a case of ocular copper deposition in both eyes at the level of Descemet's membrane associated with a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). A 49-year-old white woman had golden-brown metallic dust-like deposits on Descemet's membrane of both eyes. A systemic examination revealed an elevated serum copper, normal serum ceruloplasmin and a normal level of total protein. Serum protein electrophoresis demonstrated a single peak (M-spike) in the gamma region (M-protein in serum = 11 g/l). Flow cytometric analysis of the marrow aspirate identified a monoclonal plasma cell population that represents approximately 2% of the total marrow cells consistent with the diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. Copper deposits at the level of Descemet's membrane may be a finding in a patient with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.
authors.affiliation: Wills Eye Hospital, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. tzelikis@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Patrick F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Tzelikis
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Laibson
authors.forename: Marco P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Rapuano
authors.forename: Kristin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Hammersmith
authors.forename: Elisabeth J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D001797:Blood Protein Electrophoresis; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D003886:Descemet Membrane / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008998:Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010265:Paraproteinemias / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D003300:Copper