title: Severe diffuse systemic amyloidosis with involvement of the pharynx, larynx, and trachea: CT and MR findings.
abstract: Amyloidosis is a term applied to a diverse group of disorders that share the deposition of amyloid protein in various extracellular tissues. Systemic amyloidosis may involve almost any organ system in the body including regions in the head and neck; however, pharyngeal involvement is rare, with only 12 cases having been previously reported. Ten of these cases were localized disease, and only 2 cases were systemic amyloidosis. We present the case of a patient with severe diffuse systemic amyloidosis with extensive involvement of the pharynx, larynx, trachea, lungs, eyelids, and breasts. We also review the imaging characteristics and pertinent literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Mount Sinai School of Medicine of New York University, New York, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gilad
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Milillo
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Som
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010614:Pharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014132:Trachea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology