Megaduodenum : an unusual presentation of amyloidosis ?
| Journal | Volume 73 - 2010 |
| Issue | Fasc.2 - Case reports |
| Author(s) | L. Elli, G. Falconieri, M.T. Bardella, M. Caldato, S. Pizzolitto, A. Bonura, M. Zilli, R. Maieron |
| Full article |
 VIEW FREE PDF |
| (1) Gastroenterology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria “Santa Maria della Misericordia” ; (2) Center for Prevention and Diagnosis of Celiac Disease, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore PoliclinicO. Mangiagalli e Regina Elena ; (3) Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria “Santa Maria della Misericordia” ; (4) Department of Medical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano ; (5) Internal Medicine 1, Azienda Ospedaliera S. Carlo Borromeo. |
|
Amyloidosis, a potentially fatal disease, is characterized by an abnormal deposition of autologous proteins. Heart, liver, kidneys, lung, thyroid, skin and the gastrointestinal tract can be involved ; in this last case mucosal alterations or disturbances of the motility leading to pseudo-obstruction, bleeding, diarrhea and malabsorp- tion can be present. However, the data concerning the possible gastrointestinal presentations of amyloidosis are scanty and heterogeneous. We report the case of a patient presenting severe gastrointestinal symptoms caused by a megaduodenum. The patient was thoroughly investigated and lesions appeared limited to the upper gastrointestinal tract in the absence of a systemic disorder. However, at follow up the patient developed cardiac dilatation and bioptic samples revealed the presence of amyloidosis. (Acta gastro- enterol. belg., 2010, 73, 287-291). |
|
© Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica. PMID 20690573 |
