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AJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

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American Journal of Neuroradiology 28:1557-1558, September 2007
DOI 10.3174/ajnr.A0604
© 2007 American Society of Neuroradiology

Case Report
HEAD & NECK

Severe Diffuse Systemic Amyloidosis with Involvement of the Pharynx, Larynx, and Trachea: CT and MR Findings

R. Gilad^a, P. Milillo^c and P.M. Som^b

^a Department of Neurosurgery, Mount Sinai School of Medicine of New York University, New York, NY
^b Department of Radiology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine of New York University, New York, NY
^c Department of Radiology, Foggia University, Foggia, Italy

Please address correspondence to Peter M. Som, MD, Department of Radiology, Mount Sinai Hospital, One Gustave Levy Pl, New York, NY 10029; e-mail: peter.som{at}mssm.edu

SUMMARY: Amyloidosis is a term applied to a diverse group of disorders that share the deposition of amyloid protein in various extracellular tissues. Systemic amyloidosis may involve almost any organ system in the body including regions in the head and neck; however, pharyngeal involvement is rare, with only 12 cases having been previously reported. Ten of these cases were localized disease, and only 2 cases were systemic amyloidosis. We present the case of a patient with severe diffuse systemic amyloidosis with extensive involvement of the pharynx, larynx, trachea, lungs, eyelids, and breasts. We also review the imaging characteristics and pertinent literature.