title: How to deal with laryngeal amyloidosis? Experience based on 16 cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Amyloidosis is characterized by the deposition of amorphous fibrillar protein (amyloid) in the intercellular or intracellular space. Localized amyloidosis is rare in the head and neck area. In Polish literature of the last decade it has been the subject of case studies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goal of the study was to carry out a retrospective analysis of patients treated for amyloidosis in the Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery of the Poznań University of Medical Sciences in the period from 2000 to 2009. Based on the collected clinical material, the authors made an attempt to determine the most frequent anatomical location of amyloid deposits and the most frequently affected organs, the type and duration of symptoms, the therapeutic approach, further diagnostic measures taken and the final outcome of the treatment. The next goal was to assess the number of microlaryngoscopies performed in patients with amyloidosis affecting the larynx as compared to the overall number of such procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  The detailed analysis included 16 patients with laryngeal amyloidosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Amyloidosis of the larynx was found in only 0.52% of patients undergoing microlaryngoscopies in the period from 2000 to 2009. In the vast majority of patients (11 of 16), there was no suspicion of amyloidosis in the initial diagnosis. Only the histopathological assessment definitely confirmed the nature of pathological changes in the larynx. Glottis was the most common location of amyloid deposits in the study group. In all cases, additional studies and long-term monitoring of the postoperative course excluded generalized amyloidosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laryngeal amyloidosis is very rare, however it should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with laryngeal dysfunction. Surgery remains the treatment of choice in most patients, although the attempts of radiotherapy are undertaken. Preserving the normal function of the organ remains the priority.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poland. otosk2@ump.edu.pl
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wierzbicka
authors.forename: Damian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Budzyński
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Piwowarczyk
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bartochowska
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marszałek
authors.forename: Witold
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Szyfter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000682:Amyloid / Q000378:metabolism*; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D007830:Larynx / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000682:Amyloid