Subcutaneous beta2-microglobulin amyloid shoulder nodulesin a long-term hemodialysis patient.

ABSTRACT

beta2-Microglobulin accumulation with resultant tumor formation is a known albeit rare complication of long-term hemodialysis. Although these tumors may occur in various locations, subcutaneous shoulder nodules are very infrequent. We report a patient with end-stage kidney failure who had been on hemodialysis for 16 years and noted left shoulder nodules after initiation of hemodialysis; these nodules had slowly grown larger. Biopsy of one of these nodules revealed beta2-microglobulin amyloidosis by histopathology, Congo red stain, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry.