A case of essential crystallizing cryoglobulinemia

Satoshi Jodo; Tohru Nakabayashi; Tsuyoshi Takeda; Nobutaka Ogura; Tatsuya Atsumi; Yoshiharu Amasaki; Kenji Ichikawa; Akito Tsutsumi; Katsunori Ohnishi; Atsushi Fujisaku; Seiichi Kobayashi; Takao Koike

doi:10.2177/jsci.17.577

Satoshi Jodo, Tohru Nakabayashi, Tsuyoshi Takeda, Nobutaka Ogura, Tatsuya Atsumi, Yoshiharu Amasaki, Kenji Ichikawa, Akito Tsutsumi, Katsunori Ohnishi, Atsushi Fujisaku, Seiichi Kobayashi, Takao Koike

Author information

Satoshi Jodo
The Department of Internal Medicine II, Hokkaido University School of Medicine
Tohru Nakabayashi
The Department of Internal Medicine II, Hokkaido University School of Medicine
Tsuyoshi Takeda
The Department of Internal Medicine II, Hokkaido University School of Medicine
Nobutaka Ogura
The Department of Internal Medicine II, Hokkaido University School of Medicine
Tatsuya Atsumi
The Department of Internal Medicine II, Hokkaido University School of Medicine
Yoshiharu Amasaki
The Department of Internal Medicine II, Hokkaido University School of Medicine
Kenji Ichikawa
The Department of Internal Medicine II, Hokkaido University School of Medicine
Akito Tsutsumi
The Department of Internal Medicine II, Hokkaido University School of Medicine
Katsunori Ohnishi
The Department of Internal Medicine II, Hokkaido University School of Medicine
Atsushi Fujisaku
The Department of Internal Medicine II, Hokkaido University School of Medicine
Seiichi Kobayashi
The Department of Internal Medicine II, Hokkaido University School of Medicine
Takao Koike
The Department of Internal Medicine II, Hokkaido University School of Medicine

Keywords: essential cryoglobulinemia, crystallizing cryoglobulin, monoclonal IgG λ type, plasmapheresis

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

1994 Volume 17 Issue 5 Pages 577-584

DOI https://doi.org/10.2177/jsci.17.577

Details

Abstract

A 61-year-old man was admitted because of polyarthralgia, purpura and visual disturbance. Precipitate was observed in his serum after being placed at 4°C storage and it could not be resolved completely by warming at 37°C. Light microscopic examination of this precipitate demonstrated the formation of crystals. The immunoelectrophoresis of his serum revealed M-component in the gamma range identified as IgG with lamda light chain. Because the M-component disappeared after formation of the cryoprecipitate, this cryoprecipitate was thought to be consisting of monoclonal IgG with lamda light chain.
Because no underlying disease was found, he was diagnosed as essential crystallizing cryoglobulinemia. Combined therapy with plasmapheresis and administration of corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide is successful in controlling his clinical signs and symptoms.

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