Background
Light-chain deposition disease is a systemic disorder characterized by nonamyloidotic light-chain deposition in various organs with Bence-Jones type monoclonal gammopathy. Although known as monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance, it may involve interstitial tissue of various organs, and in rare cases, proceeds to organ failure. We present a case of cardiac light-chain deposition disease in a patient initially suspected of dialysis-associated cardiomyopathy.
Case Summary
A 65-year-old man with end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis presented with fatigue, anorexia and shortness of breath. He had a history of recurrent congestive heart failure and Bence-Jones type monoclonal gammopathy. A cardiac biopsy performed for suspected light-chain cardiac amyloidosis was negative for diagnostic Congo-red stain, however paraffin immunofluorescence examination for light-chain suggested diagnosis of cardiac light-chain deposition disease.
Discussion
Cardiac light-chain deposition disease may go undetected leading to heart failure due to lack of clinical awareness and insufficient pathological investigation. In heart failure cases with Bence-Jones type monoclonal gammopathy, clinicians should consider not only amyloidosis but also interstitial light-chain deposition. Additionally, in patients with chronic kidney disease of unknown cause, investigation is recommended to rule out cardiac light-chain deposition disease concomitant with renal light-chain deposition disease. Although light-chain deposition disease is relatively rare it occasionally affects multiple organs, therefore it would be better to describe it as a monoclonal gammopathy of clinical significance rather than one of renal significance.