| Theme |
Vascular Disorder of Gastro-intestinal Tract |
| Title |
Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Amyloidosis |
| Author |
Toshihiro Oshima |
Department of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Medical University |
| Author |
Masaaki Miyaoka |
Department of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Medical University Hachioji Medical Center |
| Author |
Kei Yamamoto |
Department of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Medical University |
| Author |
Takaya Aoki |
Department of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Medical University |
| Author |
Yasutaka Hayama |
Department of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Medical University |
| Author |
Mari Fukuzawa |
Department of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Medical University |
| Author |
Mami Takeuchi |
Department of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Medical University Hachioji Medical Center |
| Author |
Yoshimasa Miwa |
Department of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Medical University Hachioji Medical Center |
| Author |
Yasutake Hirayama |
Department of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Medical University Hachioji Medical Center |
| Author |
Daisuke Nutahara |
Department of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Medical University Hachioji Medical Center |
| Author |
Yoshiaki Kohata |
Department of Medicine, Tama Kaijou Bill Clinic |
| Author |
Daisuke Ishizuka |
Ishizuka Internal Medical Clinic |
| [ Summary ] |
The gastrointestinal tract is a frequent site of amyloid deposition. The duodenum is the most highly affected organ. Although the pattern of amyloid deposition differs due to the type of amyloid protein involved amyloid deposition on vessel walls in the lamina propria or the submucosal layer leads to microcirulation disturbances in the mucosa, resulting in abnormal vessel configurations, erosion, ulcers, and coarse mucosa, while aggregated deposition of amyloid leads to submucosal elevation and fold thickening. Clinical manifestations of gastrointestinal amyloidosis are variable, with the primary symptoms being diarrhea and abdominal pain. Symptoms associated with decreased gastrointestinal motility become prominent when amyloid deposition extends to the muscle layer proper or the autonomic ganglion. For endoscopic diagnosis of gastrointestinal amyloidosis, inspection of mucosal surfaces with patterns of amyloid deposition may help us to produce efficient diagnoses. |