[A case of monoclonal gammopathy with corneal stroma deposits].
BACKGROUND
Monoclonal gammopathy is a group of disorders characterized by proliferation of a single clone of plasma cells that produce monoclonal protein. Sometimes benign monoclonal gammopathy that is a symptomatic can turn into a malignancy like multiple myeloma. We present a case of monoclonal gammopathy with corneal deposits which was treated with deep lamellar keratoplasty (DLKP). The corneal button obtained at the time of DLKP was studied with both light and electron microscopy.


METHODS
Fine corneal deposits developed bilaterally in a 69-year-old man. There was no family history of ocular diease.


RESULTS
We diagnosed monoclonal gammopathy in a blood test that showed elevation of serum immunoglobulin G and the Kappa chain. The corneal button obtained during DLKP was analyzed histologically and ultrastructurally. Electron microscopy showed electron-dense deposits composed of fine parallel filaments in the corneal epithelium and stroma.


CONCLUSIONS
Corneal deposits of unknown origin might turn into monoclonal gammopathy that could be a life-threatening disease. It is important for ophthalmologists to check the whole body of a patient when finding corneal deposits.
Sasaki
Hidenori
H
Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University, School of Medicine, 3-1-3 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8431, Japan. hide007@hotmail.com
Kato
Takuji
T
Murakami
Akira
A
Nakayasu
Kiyoo
K
Yajima
Yasumiti
Y
D000368:Aged; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008998:Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / Q000150:complications*