Megaduodenum: an unusual presentation of amyloidosis?
Amyloidosis, a potentially fatal disease, is characterized by an abnormal deposition of autologous proteins. Heart, liver, kidneys, lung, thyroid, skin and the gastrointestinal tract can be involved; in this last case mucosal alterations or disturbances of the motility leading to pseudo-obstruction, bleeding, diarrhea and malabsorption can be present. However, the data concerning the possible gastrointestinal presentations of amyloidosis are scanty and heterogeneous. We report the case of a patient presenting severe gastrointestinal symptoms caused by a megaduodenum. The patient was thoroughly investigated and lesions appeared limited to the upper gastrointestinal tract in the absence of a systemic disorder. However, at follow up the patient developed cardiac dilatation and bioptic samples revealed the presence of amyloidosis.
Elli
L
L
Gastroenterology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria "Santa Maria della Misericordia", Milano. Italy. lucelli@yahoo.com
Falconieri
G
G
Bardella
M T
MT
Caldato
M
M
Pizzolitto
S
S
Bonura
A
A
Zilli
M
M
Maieron
R
R
D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D004378:Duodenal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology