Head and neck amyloidosis: a clinicopathologic study of 15 cases.
Amyloidosis refers to the idiopathic, extracellular deposition of fibrillar proteins, termed amyloid, in tissues. Although amyloidosis is a rare disease, the head and neck region has been reported as a frequent site of amyloid deposits, accounting for approximately 19% of reported amyloid cases in one review. Fifteen cases of head and neck amyloid, excluding the brain, with clinical follow-up were identified in the Surgical Pathology files from 1985 to 2005 at Emory University Hospital. The histopathology, histochemistry, and patient follow-up were reviewed. Nine men and six women with an age range of 18-76 years (mean 55.7 years) were identified. The initial clinical presentation was dependent on the site of amyloid deposits. The clinical types of amyloidosis included localized amyloid deposits in the larynx and tongue, plasma cell dyscrasia associated AL amyloidosis, and hemodialysis-associated amyloidosis. Secondary amyloidosis developed in one patient with carcinoid tumor.
Department of Pathology, University of Manitoba, MS477D Thorlakson Building, 820 Sherbrook Street, Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada R3A 1R9.
Carla R
CR
Penner
Susan
S
Muller
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008047:Lip Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery