Macroglossia is the most prominent oral manifestation occurring in 20% of patients with amyloidosis, but resection of the tongue is rarely needed. We report a case of amyloidosis that presented with remarkable enlargement of the tongue due to amyloidosis, which was successfully resected with excellent cosmetic results. A 74-year-old woman was referred with a 6-month history of progressive enlargement of the tongue, difficulty in closing the mouth, and dysphagia associated with solid food. Amyloidosis with macroglossia was suspected, and biopsy and resection of the tongue were performed. The resected tongue was 100 × 80 × 65 mm and 76.7 g. The histopathological diagnosis was a myloidosis. Immunohistochemical examination of the matrix with monoclonal antibody AA Congo red revealed non-AA-type amyloid deposition. The gross edema of the tongue, which had been present prior to surgery, rapidly and spontaneously resolved over the course of 1 month. The patient was able to shut her mouth. Since chronic inflammation can accelerate the progression of amyloidosis, care must be taken to prevent dysphagia and loss of vocal function. One year 1 month after surgery, the patient died of multiple organ failure caused by heart failure.
