Hepatomegaly and cholestasis as primary clinical manifestations of an AL-kappa amyloidosis

Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 1999 Aug;11(8):921-5. doi: 10.1097/00042737-199908000-00020.

Abstract

A 53-year-old man, who presented with weight loss over a period of 10 months, hepatomegaly, markedly raised cholestatic enzymes and Ca 19-9, was initially suspected of suffering from metastatic cholangio-carcinoma. Liver biopsy revealed depositions of AL-amyloid. Further investigations confirmed a generalized amyloidosis. Biopsies taken from the gastric, colonic, and bronchial mucosa all showed depositions of amyloid. A nephrotic syndrome was interpreted as being secondary to the renal involvement. Echocardiography identified changes which were consistent with cardiac involvement. A plasmacytoma or lymphoma was excluded. At the time of diagnosis the patient was in a good physical condition with normal renal function. Within a few weeks the renal function deteriorated and after 2 months the patient developed ascites and became jaundiced. Four months after initial presentation the patient died from cardiac failure.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid / metabolism
  • Amyloidosis / blood
  • Amyloidosis / diagnosis*
  • Amyloidosis / metabolism
  • Amyloidosis / pathology
  • Biopsy
  • Cholangiography
  • Cholestasis / diagnosis*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Hepatomegaly / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / metabolism
  • Liver / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Amyloid
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains