Tracheobronchial Amyloidosis- A Series of Two Cases

Amyloidosis is a constellation of disease entities characterized by abnormal extracellular deposition and accumulation of protein and protein derivatives, which show apple-green birefringence when stained with Congo red and viewed under polarized light. Amyloid can infiltrate virtually all organ systems and can display multiple and diverse imaging findings. Pathologically, respiratory involvement occurs in 50 % of patients with amyloidosis, and its clinical signs and symptoms vary depending on whether the disease is systemic or localized. The four main patterns of respiratory tract involvement are tracheobronchial, nodular parenchymal, diffuse alveolar septal, and lymphatic. Imaging findings of amyloidosis are nonspecific and vary in each pattern; knowledge about the disease impairment type is thus very important, and amyloidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of other very common diseases, such as infectious diseases, neoplasms, and vasculitis. This literature review describes the main clinical and imaging manifestations of amyloidosis, focusing on respiratory tract involvement and differential diagnosis.

show abstract

Respiratory Tract Amyloidosis. State-of-the-Art Review with a Focus on Pulmonary Involvement

Almeida

Zanetti

Silva

et al. 2015

Lung

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Serial Changes in Pulmonary Function Testing in A Patient with Tracheobronchial Amyloidosis: Relevance for Early Diagnosis

Benz¹,

Geffre²,

Anderson³

et al. 2019

JICOA

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Amyloidosis is a disease of abnormal extracellular deposition of proteins within tissues, commonly affecting solid organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys. Less commonly, amyloidosis may affect the proximal tracheobronchial tree. Clinical symptoms are vague and may include shortness of breath, stridor, hoarseness. Pulmonary function testing at the time of diagnosis usually reveals an obstructive pattern. Diagnosis is difficult, and patients with tracheobronchial amyloidosis are frequently misdiagnosed with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Early changes in pulmonary function testing in patients with tracheobronchial amyloidosis have not been described. We present a case of a firefighter who with obstructive symptomatology who was subsequently diagnosed with proximal tracheobronchial amyloidosis. As a component of his occupational health surveillance, yearly examinations and pulmonary function testing had been performed. Serial pulmonary function testing dating back fourteen years prior to diagnosis reveal an early decrease in peak expiratory flow. Over time and in retrospect, progressive blunting of the expiratory limb of his flow-volume loops is identified beginning ten years prior to presentation. These changes significantly predated his clinical symptomatology and may be useful for early identification of patients with tracheobronchial amyloidosis. The relationship between chronic smoke inhalation and the development of tracheobronchial amyloidosis is unclear.

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

customersupport@researchsolutions.com

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Tracheobronchial Amyloidosis- A Series of Two Cases

Cited by 2 publications

References 6 publications

Respiratory Tract Amyloidosis. State-of-the-Art Review with a Focus on Pulmonary Involvement

Respiratory Tract Amyloidosis. State-of-the-Art Review with a Focus on Pulmonary Involvement

Serial Changes in Pulmonary Function Testing in A Patient with Tracheobronchial Amyloidosis: Relevance for Early Diagnosis

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About