title: Amyloidosis of the nasopharynx: an unexpected cause of unilateral middle ear effusion.
abstract: Amyloidosis is an idiopathic disease that is characterized by the extracellular deposition of fibrillar proteins. The disease can be categorized as primary or secondary where deposits occur in conjunction with chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or tuberculosis. The deposits can be localized or systemically distributed. It can mimic, and also be associated with underlying malignancy. Primary amyloidosis is a rare cause of a nasopharyngeal lesion, and less so of a secondary middle ear effusion. Its association with underlying chronic and malignant disease must not be over-looked if serious complications are to be avoided. It is, therefore, important to consider this as a differential diagnosis in such patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZN, UK.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: McCluney
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shakeel
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dallas
authors.forename: Akhtar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chapman
mesh_terms: D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009302:Nasopharyngeal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors