title: Peritoneal amyloidosis: unusual localization of gastrointestinal amyloidosis.
abstract: Amyloidosis is a rare disease that results from the extracellular deposition of amorphous fibrillar protein. It is usually observed in a systemic form. Gastrointestinal involvement is frequent but peritoneal localization is unusual. A 43-year-old male was investigated for nephritic colic. Morphologic explorations revealed small intestine agglomerans in the periumbilical region, infiltration of peritoneal fat and multiple coelio-mesenteric lymph nodes. There were no clinical or biological abnormalities and endoscopic examinations were normal. The patient then underwent an exploratory laparoscopy. Macroscopically false membranes were seen throughout the peritoneum and small bowel without ascites. Anatomopathologic examination diagnosed peritoneal amyloidosis. After several investigations a diagnosis of a primary peritoneal amyloidosis was confirmed. The patient was treated with melphalan and prednisone with a favorable outcome. Our case illustrates a particular presentation of peritoneal amyloidosis. Despite improved imaging methods, peritoneal biopsy remains essential for diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology A, La Rabta Hospital, 1007, Tunis, Tunisia. sami_karoui@fastmail.fm.
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karoui
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology A, La Rabta Hospital, 1007, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Wafa
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Haddad
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology A, La Rabta Hospital, 1007, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Meriem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serghini
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, La Rabta Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Imed Ben
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Ghorbel
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery A, La Rabta Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Faouzi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chebbi
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomopathology, La Rabta Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Heifa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Azzouz
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomopathology, La Rabta Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Slim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haouet
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, La Rabta Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Habib
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Houmen
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery A, La Rabta Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Zoubeir Ben
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Safta
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology A, La Rabta Hospital, 1007, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Jalel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boubaker
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology A, La Rabta Hospital, 1007, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Azza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Filali
keywords: Amyloidosis; Peritoneal localization