title: Scleroderma-like manifestation in a patient with primary systemic amyloidosis: response to high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin and plasma exchange.
abstract: A 54-year-old Korean male with scleroderma-like manifestation of primary systemic amyloidosis presented with firm cutaneous induration of face and distal extremities, subcutaneous induration of the trunk and proximal extremities, limited range of motion in all joints, hoarseness, and dysphagia. Monthly high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (hdIVIg) was given (three treatments, each time administering 0.4 g/kg per day for five days), and both signs and symptoms began to improve. However, the quantitative analyses of serum protein did not improve. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) was performed monthly to clear the elevated serum immunoglobulin, and after several treatments, their levels normalized and symptoms were maintained in the improved state for more than two years. To summarize, hdIVIg and TPE combination therapy may be used as a safe first-line treatment for patients with primary systemic amyloidosis presenting with symptomatic monoclonal gammopathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 134 Shinchon-dong, Seodaemun- gu, Seoul 120-752, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Bin
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Jun Su
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyun Ok
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kee Yang
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000150:complications*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous