[Original case report of amyloidosis with pleural involvement: the role of echocardiography in the diagnosis].
BACKGROUND
Amyloidosis is often difficult to diagnose and cardiac involvement worsens the prognosis.


METHODS
We report the case of a 72-year old man consulting for cardiac failure with pleural effusion. A restrictive cardiomyopathy was discovered by echocardiography, and amyloidosis was then suspected. First histological localization was pleural. Cardiac involvement was confirmed. The diagnosis was supported by digestive and cutaneous localizations. It was an AL amyloidosis. Treatment with melphalan and dexamethasone allowed stabilization during more than six months.


CONCLUSIONS
This is an original case report, because of the first clinical signs (cardiac failure), the histological proof (pleural histology). Echocardiography is particularly helpful in internal medicine.
Roubille
F
F
Service de cardiologie B, hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, 371, avenue Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34000 Montpellier, France. f.roubille@freesbee.fr
Billotet
C
C
Roubille
C
C
D000368:Aged; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002313:Cardiomyopathy, Restrictive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004452:Echocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008558:Melphalan / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D003907:Dexamethasone; D008558:Melphalan