Laryngeal amyloidosis: localized versus systemic disease and update on diagnosis and therapy

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2004 Sep;113(9):741-8. doi: 10.1177/000348940411300913.

Abstract

The clinical and pathological characteristics, possibility of systemic disease, and effect of local therapy were studied in laryngeal amyloidosis. Records of all patients with localized laryngeal amyloidosis in a single tertiary referral center were examined retrospectively at diagnosis and after local therapy. Of 188 new patients with amyloidosis between 1990 and 2003, 5 patients had localized laryngeal amyloidosis. A sixth patient with localized laryngeal amyloidosis turned out to have systemic AL (immunocyte-derived) amyloidosis 8 years later. Free light chains were found in this patient, as well as in 1 of the other 5 patients. Amyloid interfering with laryngeal or airway function was removed during microlaryngoscopy with a carbon dioxide laser or cold endoscopic excision. The best results were seen when glottic deposits were removed by cold endoscopic excision, and supraglottic deposits by a carbon dioxide laser. Four patients had recurrent disease. A systematic workup, including measurement of free light chains, helps to rule out systemic disease.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Airway Obstruction / diagnosis*
  • Airway Obstruction / pathology
  • Airway Obstruction / surgery
  • Amyloidosis / diagnosis*
  • Amyloidosis / surgery
  • Cryosurgery
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hoarseness / etiology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains / blood
  • Laryngeal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Laryngeal Diseases / pathology
  • Laryngeal Diseases / surgery
  • Laryngoscopy
  • Larynx / pathology
  • Larynx / surgery
  • Laser Therapy
  • Male
  • Microsurgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Recurrence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Video Recording

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains