PRIMARY AMYLOIDOSIS WITH POLYNEUROPATHY

Abstract
Biopsy specimens from 30 patients with primary amyloidosis and polyneuropathy have been reviewed with regard to the histopathological methods used and to the kind of tissues examined. The importance of using modern histopathological methods to establish the amyloid diagnosis was demonstrated. Biopsy of the rectal mucosa of 18 patients was positive for amyloid in all. Skin biopsy was positive in 22 of 25 patients. In one patient the first skin and rectal biopsies were negative; new specimens after one year and three years, respectively, were positive for amyloid. In all 30 patients amyloid deposits were found either in the rectal mucosa or in the skin. Rectal and skin biopsies are recommended as valuable procedures to confirm the clinical diagnosis of primary amyloidosis with polyneuropathy.

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