Amyloid deposition in the oral cavity: a retrospective study and review of the literature

Oral manifestations of amyloidosis and the diagnostic applicability of oral tissue biopsy

BACKGROUND

Amyloidosis exhibits a variable spectrum of systemic signs and oral manifestations that can be difficult to diagnose. This study aimed to characterize the clinical, demographic, and microscopic features of amyloidosis in the oral cavity.

METHODS

This collaborative study involved three Brazilian oral pathology centers and described cases with a confirmed diagnosis of amyloidosis on available oral tissue biopsies. Clinical data were obtained from medical records. H&E, Congo-red, and immunohistochemically stained slides were analyzed.

RESULTS

Twenty-six oral biopsies from 23 individuals (65.2% males; mean age: 59.6 years) were included. Oral involvement was the first sign of the disease in 67.0% of cases. Two patients had no clinical manifestation in the oral mucosa, although the histological analysis confirmed amyloid deposition. Amyloid deposits were distributed in perivascular (88.0%), periacinar and periductal (80.0%), perineurial (80.0%), endoneurial (33.3%), perimuscular (88.2%), intramuscular (94.1%), and subepithelial (35.3%) sites as well as around fat cells (100.0%). Mild/moderate inflammation was found in 65.4% of cases and 23.1% had giant cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Amyloid deposits were consistently found in oral tissues, exhibiting distinct deposition patterns. Oral biopsy is less invasive than internal organ biopsy and enables the reliable identification of amyloid deposits even in the absence of oral manifestations. These findings corroborate the relevance of oral biopsy for the diagnosis of amyloidosis.

Amyloid Deposition in the Upper Aerodigestive Tract, A Single Institute Experience

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate clinical information, laboratory results, and pathologic findings of patients with amyloidosis involving larynx, oral cavity, and pharynx from our institute. Methods: A total of 39 specimens from 28 patients were retrieved from 2000 to 2020. Data collection included clinical presentation, radiographic, laboratory results, and pathologic findings. Results: A total of 12 patients had laryngeal amyloidosis and true vocal cord was the most common location. Protein electrophoresis detected monoclonal protein in 10% (1/10) of patients tested. Two patients had hematopoietic disorder (2/12, 17%) and another patient had a peptide profile consistent with amyloid transthyretin (ATTR) detected by mass spectrometry. Twelve patients showed amyloidosis in the oral cavity with 75% involving the tongue. Monoclonal protein was found in 89% of cases tested. Nine patients (9/12, 75%) had systematic involvement including 6 with hematopoietic malignancy and 3 with biopsy-confirmed systemic light chain amyloidosis. Compared to the laryngeal amyloidosis, amyloid deposition in oral cavity had a significant higher association with systematic disease (P < .01). Pharyngeal amyloidosis was seen in 7 patients. Three of 6 patients tested (3/6, 50%) were found to have biopsy-confirmed hematopoietic malignancy. Conclusions: Laryngeal amyloidosis is mostly a localized disease. Amyloidosis involving oral cavity is associated with significantly higher risk of systematic involvement which warrants a comprehensive laboratory, radiographic, and pathologic workup. There is limited data about pharynx amyloidosis. Oropharynx and hypopharynx amyloidosis appear to be more likely associated with underlying hematologic malignancy compared to nasopharynx involvement.

Extremely Rare Intraoral Presentation of Localized Amyloidosis

Purpose

To present an extremely rare case of localized amyloidosis of the mucosa of the maxillary alveolar ridge. Case Report. A 71-year-old man was referred to the Department of Oral Surgery, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, for a persistent nodular formation in the edentulous ridge of the anterior maxillary region. The nodular formation had a reddish color, solid consistency, and an approximate size of 40 × 15 mm. Orthopantomographic imaging excluded bone resorption and defects. Histopathological assessments of the biopsy specimen showed that the stroma was occupied by a multiplied, partially hyalinized connective tissue. The samples were subsequently stained with Congo red, and collagen accumulation under polarized light showed an apple-green birefringence indicating amyloid. Subsequently, the nodular formation was completely excised and a maxillary total denture was made. The patient showed normal tissue healing with no sign of recurrence at a follow-up assessment 1.5 years after the procedure.

Conclusion

This is only the third reported case of localized amyloidosis of the alveolar ridge mucosa. Histopathological analysis is the first step for diagnosis, but systemic tests, blood counts, urinalysis, bone marrow biopsy, electrocardiography, and digestive endoscopy are recommended to rule out a systemic disease.

Myocardial amyloidosis following multiple myeloma in a 38-year-old female patient: A case report

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an immunoglobulin-producing tumor of plasma cells, which occurs commonly in the elderly. The incidence of myocardial amyloidosis with MM is extremely low and early clinical manifestations are nonspecific. The diversity of clinical manifestations and first episode symptoms often cause misdiagnosis in young patients with myocardial amyloidosis following MM. In this study, we analyzed the clinical data of a young woman with MM and impaired cardiac function combined with echocardiography, electrocardiography (ECG), laboratory data, cell Congo Red staining, and other manifestations to diagnose amyloidosis. Considering the rapid progression, short survival, and poor prognosis in most patients, a clear, definitive, and timely diagnosis is essential for the treatment of patients with MM complicated with myocardial amyloidosis.

A Guide to Yellow Oral Mucosal Entities: Etiology and Pathology

When faced with an uncertain clinical pathosis in the oral cavity, identifying the color of the mucosal lesion helps to narrow down a differential diagnosis. Although less common than red and white lesions, yellow lesions encompass a small group of distinct mucosal pathologic entities. Adipose tissue, lymphoid tissue, and sebaceous glands are naturally occurring yellow constituents of the oral cavity and become apparent with associated developmental or neoplastic lesions. Reactive and inflammatory lesions can create a yellow hue due to purulence, necrosis, and calcification. Some systemic diseases are known to deposit yellow bi-products such as amyloid or bilirubin into the oral mucosa of an affected person, and while not always yellow, unusual entities like verruciform xanthoma and granular cell tumor fall under the umbrella of yellow lesions given their occasional propensity to demonstration the color. This chapter aims to explore the unique group that is yellow lesions presenting in the oral mucosa.

Immunophenotyping Oral Amyloidosis for the Precise Identification of the Biochemical Forms: A Retrospective Study

Background:

Amyloidosis refers to a group of systemic and localized disorders associated with the accumulation of misfolded protein aggregates called amyloids in different parts of the body. Owing to the existence of multiple forms of amyloids with similar tertiary structures, precise identification of their biochemical form is critical for correct therapy.

Objective:

This retrospective study aimed to determine whether typing of oral amyloid deposits can help diagnose a serious systemic condition in the early phase of the disease

Methods:

All histopathologically confirmed cases of amyloidosis managed over a 14-year period (January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2011) were retrieved for analysis. Two board-certified oral and maxillofacial pathologists reviewed the histopathological findings of amyloidosis on the basis of its classic Congo red staining characteristics. This was followed by immunohistochemical analysis of biopsy samples using a panel of antibodies specific for different forms of amyloidosis.

Results:

The most common location of amyloidosis was the tongue, and women were more commonly affected than men. The patient age ranged from 11 to 83 years (average 59.3 years). In patient 9, light-chain and pre-albumin (transthyretin) antibodies were related to arthritis and senile amyloidosis, respectively. The biopsy sample of patient 10, who was reported to have multiple myeloma, was positive for light chains and β2 microglobulin. All other samples exhibited localized (solitary) amyloidosis.

Conclusion:

Histological analysis coupled with immunostaining with a panel of specific antibodies might assist in identifying early systemic amyloidosis in patients with localized oral forms of the disease.

Spectrum of orocutaneous disease associations: Genodermatoses and inflammatory conditions

The oral cavity and cutaneous organ systems share a close embryologic origin. Therefore, there are numerous dermatologic conditions presenting with concomitant oral findings of which the dermatologist must be aware. The second article in this continuing medical education series reviews inflammatory orocutaneous conditions and a number of genodermatoses. It is essential for dermatologists to be familiar with oral cavity manifestations associated with dermatologic diseases for prompt diagnosis, management, and appropriate referral to stomatology and dentistry.

Involvement of oral tissues by AL amyloidosis: a literature review and report of eight new cases

OBJECTIVE

Amyloidosis is a term used to describe a group of diseases in which there is an extracellular deposition of amorphous fibrillar proteins known as amyloid. The aim of this study was to present clinicopathological data from eight oral amyloidosis-affected patients and a deep review of the literature about the disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted based on the records of oral amyloidosis-affected patients diagnosed in our institution between 1978 and 2012. The clinicopathological features and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining with anti-kappa and anti-lambda light chain antibodies were carried out and analyzed.

RESULTS

Eight patients were diagnosed with the disease; the tongue and women in their sixth decade of life were mostly affected. All lesions demonstrated apple-green birefringence and immunoreactivity for kappa-light chain, and four cases also showed lambda positivity. According to our series, four cases were diagnosed with localized amyloidosis and four with systemic amyloidosis. Prognosis for the systemic ones was gloomy, but good for the localized ones, which was characterized by a slow pattern of deposition without evolution to systemic involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reinforces our knowledge about predilections, outcomes, and the importance of making a correct and quick diagnosis of oral amyloidosis and shows the necessity of more studies detailing oral amyloidosis predilection on a global scale. The importance and utility of IHC in the typing of the biochemical nature of amyloid deposits are becoming increasingly necessary for proper management of the patient. Correct classification of the type of amyloid is important for treatment consequences.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This article highlights the clinicopathological data of patients with amyloidosis affecting oral tissues and compare these new findings with other worldwide descriptions. Because of its rarity, such data are often unfamiliar to most clinicians and pathologists.

AL Amyloidosis Complicated by Persistent Oral Bleeding

A case of amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis is presented here with uncontrolled bleeding after a nonsurgical dental procedure, most likely multifactorial in nature, and consequently treated with a multidisciplinary approach.

Biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease risk in peripheral tissues; focus on buccal cells

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive degenerative disorder of the brain and is the most common form of dementia. To-date no simple, inexpensive and minimally invasive procedure is available to confirm with certainty the early diagnosis of AD prior to the manifestations of symptoms characteristic of the disease. Therefore, if population screening of individuals is to be performed, more suitable, easily accessible tissues would need to be used for a diagnostic test that would identify those who exhibit cellular pathology indicative of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD risk so that they can be prioritized for primary prevention. This need for minimally invasive tests could be achieved by targeting surrogate tissues, since it is now well recognized that AD is not only a disorder restricted to pathology and biomarkers within the brain. Human buccal cells for instance are accessible in a minimally invasive manner, and exhibit cytological and nuclear morphologies that may be indicative of accelerated ageing or neurodegenerative disorders such as AD. However, to our knowledge there is no review available in the literature covering the biology of buccal cells and their applications in AD biomarker research. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize some of the main findings of biomarkers reported for AD in peripheral tissues, with a further focus on the rationale for the use of the buccal mucosa (BM) for biomarkers of AD and the evidence to date of changes exhibited in buccal cells with AD.

Localized amyloidosis of the upper gingiva: a case report

Introduction

Localized amyloidosis in the head and neck is a rare and generally benign condition. In the oral cavity, amyloidosis usually involves the tongue or buccal mucosa. We present the second case of oral amyloidosis arising in the gingiva ever reported, to the best of our knowledge.

Case presentation

A 73-year-old White Spanish man presented a persistent nodular mass involving his upper gingiva. The lesion was surgically resected and the histological examination revealed a subepithelial, multinodular amorphous and fibrillar accumulation. Staining of the specimen for Congo red proved positive, exhibiting a reddish colour under light microscopy and apple-green birefringence under polarized light. With immunohistochemical tests, pentagonal amyloid component was demonstrated. An extensive study excluded any systemic involvement; a diagnosis of localized primary amyloidosis was made. After 2 years of follow-up, no clinical progression to systemic amyloidosis or local recurrence was observed.

Conclusions

Localized amyloidosis of the gingiva is an extremely rare condition that seems to show no clinically distinct feature. Histologic examination is the first step towards diagnosis, followed by immunohistochemical tests. The diagnosis of localized amyloidosis should always be integrated with blood tests, a bone marrow biopsy, echocardiography and digestive endoscopy to intercept systemic involvement.

Oral manifestations of hematologic and nutritional diseases

Oral manifestations of hematologic and nutritional deficiencies can affect the mucous membranes, teeth, periodontal tissues, salivary glands, and perioral skin. This article reviews common oral manifestations of hematologic conditions starting with disorders of the white blood cells including cyclic hematopoiesis (cyclic neutropenia), leukemias, lymphomas, plasma cell dyscrasias, and mast cell disorders; this is followed by a discussion of the impact of red blood cell disorders including anemias and less common red blood cell dyscrasias (sickle cell disease, hemochromatosis, and congenital erythropoietic porphyria) as well as thrombocytopenia. Several nutritional deficiencies exhibit oral manifestations. The authors specifically discuss the impact of water-soluble vitamins (B2, B3, B6, B9, B12, and C), fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, and K) and the eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa on the oral mucosa.

Localized tongue Amyloidosis in a Patient with Neurofibromatosis type II

BACKGROUND

Localized Amyloidosis (AL) may rarely involve oral mucosa. This is the first known reported case describing the development of tongue AL in a 30-year-old patient with Neurofibromatosis (NF) type-2.

CASE

A female patient presented with a painless, well-circumscribed nodule of the tongue. Her medical history included NF type-2 with chromosome-22 abnormal karyotype (mosaicism), multiple intracranial and spinal meningiomas/schwannomas and unilateral blindness/deafness. The biopsy of the excised lesion of the tongue revealed subepithelial accumulation of an amorphous, nodular, fibrillar material positive for Congo red. Blood examination showed increased Thyroxine-T4 due to thyroid multinodular colloid goiter, but excluded any other hematological/immunological disorder or organ dysfunction. No recurrence was observed after a six-month follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the possibility of oral manifestations as the only sign of AL and reveals the unexpected co-existence of AL and NF 2, for the first time.

Oral involvement in a case of AA amyloidosis: a case report

Introduction

Deposition of amyloid fibrils derived from circulating acute-phase reactant serum amyloid A protein causes systemic amyloidosis, a serious inflammatory disorder. We document a male patient who developed reactive amyloidosis (AA type), most likely secondary to his long standing periodontitis.

Case presentation

A 67-year-old Turkish man complained of pain in his oral cavity (burning mouth) especially on the tongue, and had difficulty chewing and swallowing foods. A careful dental/periodontal examination was performed, including assessment of plaque, gingival condition and periodontal probing depths on all his remaining teeth. Prosthetic rehabilitation was provided three months after the completion of his periodontal and surgical therapy. The concentration of serum inflammatory markers including erythrocyte sedimentation rate, white blood cell count, fibrinogen and high sensitive C-reactive protein were measured at baseline, at the second and sixth weeks, and at three and six months after the periodontal and surgical therapy.

Conclusions

Oral examination revealed a few papules on the dorsum of the tongue with two slightly painful, small ulcers, localized on the vestibule of the mouth. The mean probing depth was 9.10 ± 0.84 mm. Biopsies of the tongue, buccal mucosa and retromolar trigone were performed and amyloid deposits were found. The serum inflammatory markers improved more dramatically at the second week of periodontal therapy than any other time intervals.

Amyloidosis may manifest as periodontal destruction that leads to severe chronic periodontitis. Proper periodontal treatment may alleviate systemic inflammatory mediators caused by the amyloidosis.

Gastrointestinal manifestations of amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is characterized by extracellular deposition of abnormal protein. There are six types: primary, secondary, hemodialysis-related, hereditary, senile, and localized. Primary (AL) amyloidosis is associated with monoclonal light chains in serum and/or urine with 15% of patients having multiple myeloma. Secondary (AA) amyloidosis is associated with inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic diseases. The presentation is protean, including macroglossia, a dilated and atonic esophagus, gastric polyps or enlarged folds, and luminal narrowing or ulceration of the colon. Amyloid deposition in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is greatest in the small intestine. The symptoms include diarrhea, steatorrhea, or constipation. Pseudo-obstruction carries a particularly grave prognosis, often not responding to pro-motility agents. Hepatic involvement is common, but the clinical manifestations are usually mild with hepatomegaly and an elevated alkaline phosphatase level. Biopsies to diagnose amyloidosis can be taken from the fat, kidney, intestine, or bone marrow. The safety of liver biopsies is controversial. With Congo Red stain, amyloid appears red in normal light and apple-green in polarized light. Treatment for AL amyloidosis is chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation; treatment for AA amyloidosis is control of the underlying disease. Amyloidosis should be considered in patients with proteinuria, cardiomyopathy, hepatomegaly (with mildly abnormal liver tests), peripheral and autonomic neuropathy, weight loss, and GI symptoms.

Medical management update: Multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy characterized by abnormal proliferation of immunoglobulin-secreting plasma cells. Manifestations of MM may include anemia, osteolytic lesions, and renal dysfunction. Treatment for this disease chiefly consists of corticosteroids, bisphosphonates, chemotherapy, and hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. This medical management update will review recent clinical and therapeutic advances in the field of MM and highlight issues that are important to the oral health care provider.

Bullous amyloidosis of the oral cavity: A rare clinical presentation and review

Bullous amyloidosis (BA) is a rare cutaneous manifestation primarily of systemic amyloidosis, a disease in which abnormal proteinaceous material is formed and deposited in response to inflammatory conditions and plasma cell dyscrasias. Hemorrhagic bullae indicative of BA are usually associated with purpura and may be the initial clinical signs of systemic amyloidosis or monoclonal gammopathies, such as multiple myeloma and Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. Bullous amyloidosis of the oral cavity is highly uncommon and can mimic other vesiculobullous lesions of the oral mucosa. This article highlights an unusual case of oral BA and reviews important aspects of the disease.

Diffuse gingival enlargement

Diffuse gingival enlargement is defined as an excessive growth of periodontal tissue. It can be considered a relatively common finding, as thousands of patients have been described in the literature. Patients may seek medical attention because of pain, tenderness, interference with speech and/or mastication, halitosis, or unsightly appearance, or gingival enlargement may be an unexpected finding on routine physical examination. Diffuse gingival enlargement has numerous causes, including poor dental hygiene, medications, serious systemic illnesses, genetic conditions, other specific physiologic states, or it may be idiopathic. Given the large number of possible underlying conditions, the work-up of a patient presenting with diffuse gingival enlargement may seem daunting. We present a systemic review of diffuse gingival enlargement, including an algorithm that can be used to direct the work-up of patients presenting with this condition.