Nodular pulmonary amyloidosis: a complex disease with malignancy association

A Case of Recurrent Localized Pulmonary Nodular Light Chain Amyloidosis Treated with Daratumumab plus CyBorD

INTRODUCTION

Nodular pulmonary amyloidosis (NPA) is a localized form of light chain (AL) amyloidosis often found incidentally and typically has an indolent and benign disease course treated with resection or local excision. We present a patient with recurrent localized AL amyloidosis who required further treatment.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 63-year-old female with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) was found to have pulmonary AL amyloid on wedge resection and later had recurrence. The patient did not have signs of clonal plasma cell proliferation or systemic AL amyloid. She was treated with daratumumab, cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone. After initiation of treatment, the patient has had significant hematologic and radiographic response.

CONCLUSION

The patient had NPA recurrence with organ dysfunction without systemic disease. Because the presentation of recurrent pulmonary AL amyloidosis is rare, there is no published evidence on treatment. However, the patient has had hematologic and radiographic improvement after initiating treatment with a systemic protocol.

Amyloid Light-Chain (AL) Amyloidosis of the Trachea Associated With an Indolent B-cell Neoplasm

We report the case of a 66-year-old woman who was diagnosed with localized tracheal amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis caused by an underlying B-cell neoplasm. The diagnosis was confirmed through subsequent bronchoscopy and biopsies; however, she experienced a challenging episode of hypoxic respiratory failure that required intervention. Repeat bronchoscopies showed persistent subglottic stenosis and tracheobronchomalacia, which led to tracheal debulking surgery and additional interventions. The patient's treatment began with rituximab, zanubrutinib, and dexamethasone with outpatient follow-up. The rarity of tracheobronchial amyloidosis and its connection to B-cell malignancies are highlighted, emphasizing the challenges in diagnosis and the importance of tailored treatment strategies. The patient's clinical course, characterized by atypical respiratory symptoms, delayed diagnosis, and an evolving treatment approach, underscores the complexities of managing such a rare and intricate case.

CT showed multiple pulmonary balloon lesions with intermediate balloon calcification in a case of nodular pulmonary amyloidosis: A case report

RATIONALE

Amyloidosis is a rare disease characterized by the misfolding of autologous proteins and extracellular deposition of fibrils, which can involve 1 or more vital organs in the body. Nodular pulmonary amyloidosis with extensive pulmonary cysts is even less common. This study discusses the diagnosis and treatment of a case of pulmonary nodular amyloidosis with extensive pulmonary cysts and calcification in the middle of the cysts on chest computed tomography, and reviews the related literature. We hope that this rare case will raise awareness of this disease among clinicians.

PATIENT CONCERNS

Multiple pulmonary nodules and cysts were found on computed tomography of the chest, and the patient was eager to further clarify the nature of the nodules and the next treatment plan.

DIAGNOSES

Amyloidosis of pulmonary nodules.

INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES

Since the patient's primary lesion was outside the bronchial lumen near the hilum, we opted for endobronchial ultrasound-guided tunnel biopsy to obtain pathological specimens, and confirmed the diagnosis of nodular pulmonary amyloidosis. After a definite diagnosis, the patient was regularly followed without any specific treatment.

LESSONS

For patients with multiple pulmonary nodules combined with extensive pulmonary cysts, we also need to be alert to the possibility of pulmonary nodule amyloidosis. Secondly, when the main lesion is located outside the bronchial cavity near the hilum of the lung, the method of pathological tissue biopsy should also consider endobronchial ultrasound-guided tunnel biopsy.

Uncommon Presentation of Undiagnosed B-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disorder as Nodular Pulmonary Amyloidosis

B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders are characterized by the accumulation of mature B lymphocytes in the bone marrow, lymphoid tissues, and/or peripheral blood. They can cause amyloid deposits in the lungs. In rare cases, lung nodules can be the first sign of this disorder. We present the case of an 89-year-old woman with stable shortness of breath and lung nodules on imaging. A positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scan showed the most intense hypermetabolic nodule in the patient's lung, which was 1.5 × 1.4 cm. A biopsy of this nodule showed amyloid material with trapped plasma cell infiltrate on microscopy. Congo red stain under polarizing microscopy showed apple-green birefringence, which is diagnostic for amyloidosis. Immunohistochemistry showed a mixture of kappa-positive and lambda-positive cells. B-cell gene rearrangement-clonal gene rearrangements were detected in the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene and the kappa light chain (IGK). These findings suggest a B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder, such as a plasmacytoma or a marginal cell lymphoma with plasma cell differentiation. The patient was diagnosed with a B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder and pulmonary amyloidosis. Isolated amyloidosis in the lungs usually has a good prognosis, but it can be a sign of autoimmune diseases or B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, as in this case. Early diagnosis of B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder can lead to successful treatment and prevents complications.

Perilymphatic micronodular pattern as a manifestation of pulmonary amyloidosis on high-resolution computed tomography

The term amyloidosis describes a group of diseases caused by the fibrillar deposit of poorly folded proteins in tissues with a secondary alteration of their function. Diffuse parenchymal lung disease associated with amyloidosis is rare and is most often diagnosed in autopsy. A 45-year-old male patient presented an acute episode of cough with mucoid expectoration. He had also dyspnea, dry cough, chest pain, and constitutional symptoms of 6 months of evolution. Initially the case was treated as acute pneumonia. After taking radiological images of the thorax, a diagnostic suspicion of lymphangitic spread of neoplasia was assumed. Histopathological findings of an open pulmonary biopsy demonstrated interstitial thickening with perivascular eosinophilic invasion. Congo Red staining and immunohistochemistry studies were done and turned out to be positive for amyloid. The perilymphatic micronodular pattern as a radiological manifestation of parenchymal pulmonary amyloidosis has been very rarely described in the literature, therefore it must be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with this pattern in CT scan and should be an incentive for its histopathological study once a neoplasm is ruled out.

Pulmonary nodules associated with pulmonary embolism: A rare and misleading presentation of amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is a rare disease especially the localized form involving pulmonary parenchyma. We report the case of a 74 years old woman who presented with chest pain and dyspnoea. CT scan showed pulmonary embolism and bilateral nodules. Laboratory examinations highlighted circulating Kappa IgM. 18F-FDG PET/CT showed intense activity of the nodules. Histological investigation supported the diagnosis of nodular pulmonary amyloidosis. There were no sign of systemic amyloidosis or autoimmune disease. No treatment was initiated: the patient remains asymptomatic after one year. Localized pulmonary amyloidosis related to MGUS was the most likely diagnosis. Malignancy, a differential diagnosis of pulmonary amyloidosis, must be excluded: histological examinations are overriding. Difference between systemic and localized amyloidosis conditions treatment and prognosis. This observation emphasizes the difficulty to establish the diagnosis of pulmonary nodular amyloidosis and the complex relationship between amyloidosis and thromboembolism.