| Theme |
Gastrointestinal Disease Due to Blood Flow Damage |
| Title |
Clinical and Endoscopic Features of Gastrointestinal Amyloidosis |
| Author |
Koichi Kurahara |
Division of Gastroenterology, Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital |
| Author |
Shuji Kochi |
Division of Gastroenterology, Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital / Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University |
| Author |
Hiroki Yaita |
Division of Gastroenterology, Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital |
| Author |
Yumi Oshiro |
Department of Pathology, Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital |
| Author |
Kazuoki Hizawa |
Department of Internal Medicine, Kyushu Central Hospital of the Mutual Aid Association of Public School Teachers |
| Author |
Hiroyuki Kobayashi |
Division of Gastroenterology, Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital / Institute of Gastroenterology, Fukuoka Sanno Hospital |
| Author |
Motohiro Esaki |
Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University |
| [ Summary ] |
Endoscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract (GI) reveals considerable differences between serum amyloid protein type AA amyloidosis and AL amyloidosis. Patients with AA amyloidosis demonstrate a mucosal pattern with innumerable fine granular elevations, which correlate with increased amyloid deposits in the lamina propria. In contrast, patients with AL amyloidosis demonstrate polypoid protrusions and invariable thickening of the folds, which reflect massive amyloid deposits in the muscularis mucosa, the submucosa and the muscularis propria. Recently, ulcerations and submucosal hematomas of the GI tract have been reported in patients with AL amyloidosis. |