Pulmonary Amyloidosis: A Diagnostic Challenge

Authors

  • Ana Alves Serviço de Pneumologia A. Centro Hospital e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.
  • Tiago M. Alfaro Serviço de Pneumologia A. Centro Hospital e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.
  • Daniela Madama Serviço de Pneumologia A. Centro Hospital e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.
  • Sara Freitas Serviço de Pneumologia A. Centro Hospital e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.
  • Carlos Robalo-Cordeiro Serviço de Pneumologia A. Centro Hospital e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.
  • Fernanda Gamboa Serviço de Pneumologia A. Centro Hospital e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.5948

Keywords:

Amyloidosis, Bronchiectasis, Lung Diseases, Sjögren’s Syndrome.

Abstract

Amyloidosis is characterized by amyloid extracellular deposition in organs and tissues. Pulmonary involvement is a rare manifestation of the disease and it can be focal or as part of systemic amyloidosis. We report two cases. Case 1: 71 year-old female with bronchiectasis and Sjogren’s syndrome, who complained of anorexia, weight loss and a productive cough. The diagnostic study included a surgical lung biopsy and histological examination demonstrated pulmonary amyloidosis. Case 2: 83 year-old male patient, ex-smoker, asymptomatic,
whose routine chest x-ray showed a nodular opacity in the right lung field. A transthoracic biopsy revealed an amyloid lung tumor. These cases illustrate a rare disease which in Case 1 also coexisted with Sjögren’s syndrome and bronchiectasis. The most important differential diagnosis is cancer and so a definitive diagnosis is essential, as amyloidosis is usually benign and indolent.

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Author Biographies

Ana Alves, Serviço de Pneumologia A. Centro Hospital e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.

Médica Interna de Pneumologia

Tiago M. Alfaro, Serviço de Pneumologia A. Centro Hospital e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.

Assistente de Pneumologia

Daniela Madama, Serviço de Pneumologia A. Centro Hospital e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.

Médica Interna de Pneumologia

Sara Freitas, Serviço de Pneumologia A. Centro Hospital e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.

Assistente de Pneumologia

Carlos Robalo-Cordeiro, Serviço de Pneumologia A. Centro Hospital e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.

Assistente Graduado de Pneumologia e Professor de Pneumologia

Fernanda Gamboa, Serviço de Pneumologia A. Centro Hospital e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.

Assistente de Pneumologia

Published

2015-07-10

How to Cite

1.
Alves A, Alfaro TM, Madama D, Freitas S, Robalo-Cordeiro C, Gamboa F. Pulmonary Amyloidosis: A Diagnostic Challenge. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 2015 Jul. 10 [cited 2024 Nov. 16];28(4):530-3. Available from: https://actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/5948

Issue

Section

Case Report