2014 Volume 138 Pages 78-79
Amyloidosis is a metabolic disorder where insoluble fibrous protein aggregates, so-called amyloid proteins, are deposited in the extracellular space in a variety of organs and tissues, leading to organ- or tissue-specific dysfunctions. Herein, we report a rare case of laryngeal amyloidosis. A 54-year-old woman was referred to our department with a 9-month history of hoarseness. Laryngeal endoscopic examination revealed orange-colored uneven edematous swelling of the left false cord, with intact vocal cord mobility. An endoscopic biopsy was performed under local anesthesia. Histopathologically, the specimen showed submucosal deposition of amyloid, with positive Congo red staining. Immunohistochemically, the lesion was positive for immunoglobulin λ light chain, but negative for amyloid A. There were no other abnormal findings on systemic examination. The patient was diagnosed as having localized AL-type laryngeal amyloidosis, and eventually, debulking surgery was performed using a CO2 laser via a direct laryngoscope. The postoperative clinical course was uneventful. The lesion macroscopically disappeared, and the voice quality improved. The clinical characteristics, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of amyloidosis were bibliographically reviewed.
