Abstract
Endoscopic and pathologic findings of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and color-ectum were studied in 8 patients with AA amyloidosis involving the gastrointestinal tract.Endoscopic examinations of the stomach revealed various findings such as erosions andshallow ulcers. On the other hand, fine granular appearance especially in the secondportion of the duodenum, was observed in ail the cases. Endoscopic findings of thecolorectum showed mainly erosions and ulcer, and the degree and portion of these abnor-malities were variable, even in the same patient. The frequency of amyloid deposition inthe biopsy specimens was as follows;10Q%in the duodenum, gastric antrum, terminalileum and colorectum, 83%in the gastric body, 50%in the esophagus. The lumpydeposition of amyioid prctein in the submucosa of the duodenum, which was the highestdegree of the entire gastrointestinal tract, was considered to reflect the characteristicendoscopic findings described above. fur results indicate that for a diagnosis ofamyloidosis, it is important to examine the duodenum, which shaves the characteristicendoscopic findings and is suitable for biopsy, using endoscopy.
