Pulmonary amyloidosis - abstract

Amyloidosis is a chronic disorder, characterized by accumulation of a fibrillar protein in the various organ systems, including the respiratory tract. Amyloid localized entirely to the respiratory tract is, however, a rare finding. Involvement of the airways (trachea and bronchi) leads to signs and symptoms of airway obstruction. Parenchymal amyloid occurs in two forms, diffuse and nodular, with the latter having a more benign natural history and a better prognosis. This disorder must be considered in the differential diagnosis and work-up of a solitary pulmonary nodule (AU)

Sick sinus syndrome and primary systemic amyloidosis

A sixty-eight-year-old woman with documented sick sinus syndrome was found to have, five years later, florid clinical features of systemic amyloidosis which only then led to recognition of an underlying IgA, Kappa paraproteinaemia. The literature on this association is outlined. Underlying plasma cell dyscrasias should be excluded in cases of unexplained sick sinus syndrome.(AU)

Primary idiopathic cutaneous amyloidosis: can coconut oil be a contributing factor? - abstract

Twenty patients who presented clinically with either macular or lichen amyloidosis at clinics at the Port of Spain General Hospital or the St. Joseph Health Centre had skin biopsies done. Two control groups of male and female patients were randomly selected. They presented with other unrelated skin conditions and either used coconut oil only occasionally or used other types of oil. Skin biopsies were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and congo red/methyl violet. The study group were all female Indo-Trinidadians who had daily applied coconut oil to the arms, legs and hair for an average period of 31 years (range 4 months - 40 years). In 15 patients, there was histological confirmation of amyloid. Seven patients had at least 1 family member with a similar skin condition. Papular and macular skin lesions were seen on the anterior aspect of the leg and the extensor aspect of the arm and scapular region. It is proposed that the common practice among female Indo-Trinidadians of daily application of coconut oil to arms, legs and hair is a risk factor in the development of primary cutaneous amyloidosis and that genetic and familial factors are also involved in this condition (AU)

Clinico-pathological study of multiple myeloma in Jamaica

A clinico-pathological study of multiple myeloma in Jamaica was undertaken in order to examine the disease pattern in a predominantly negro population of West African origin. During a 10-year period (1957-66) 101 cases of multiple myeloma and 3 cases of solitry plasmocytoma were encountered. This indicates that multiple myeloma is more common in Jamaica than in parts of Africa populated by negroes. The sex incidence was nearly equal, and there was no evidence that the disease occurs earlier in the negro than in white populations. The haematological, biochemical, and radiological findings were similar to those reported from Europe and North America. The majority of patients presented with advanced disease, and the prognosis was very poor. Post mortem findings showed a high incidence of extra-medullary involvement and amyloidosis. (AU)