Nodular primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis in a patient with pulmonary sarcoidosis

Lacrimal Gland Amyloidosis in an Elderly Patient

Localized amyloidosis of the lacrimal gland is a rare disease. We report a case of transthyretin-positive localized amyloidosis of the lacrimal gland in a 74-year-old man with left lacrimal gland swelling. Biopsy of the left lacrimal gland showed extensive deposition of nonstructural eosinophilic material in the secretory gland and ducts, which stained positive with direct fast scarlet. Immunostaining was negative for amyloid A and positive for both globulin light chain (kappa, lambda) and transthyretin. It is necessary to consider the possibility of senile systemic amyloidosis, even if localized amyloidosis of the lacrimal gland is suspected.

Nodular amyloidosis derived from keratinocytes: an unusual type of primary localized cutaneous nodular amyloidosis

Primary, localized cutaneous amyloidosis includes macular, lichen, and nodular (tumefactive) types in which the amyloid deposits are limited to the dermis without systemic involvement. The material in lichen and macular amyloidosis is derived from epidermal keratinocytes [keratinocyte-derived amyloid (AK)], whereas that in nodular amyloidosis is derived from immunoglobulin light-chains amyloid (AL). Primary, localized cutaneous nodular amyloidosis (PLCNA) is a form of primary, localized cutaneous amyloidosis that has been associated with a risk of progression to systemic amyloidosis. We report an unusual case of nodular AK-type amyloid deposited in the dermis of the feet. The patient is a 60-year-old woman with asymptomatic verrucoid-like lesions present around the medial and lateral aspects of the bilateral heels for 1-2 years. A biopsy showed massive deposition of eosinophilic amorphous material in the papillary and reticular dermis. The material stained positive for Congo red with apple-green birefringence on polarized light. It was also positive for pan-cytokeratin and negative for kappa and lambda light-chain immunostains. An extensive workup was negative for systemic involvement. Lipid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry confirmed that the deposition was AK-type amyloid. We believe that this is the first case of PLCNA with AK deposition. This entity should be included in the differential diagnosis of PLCNA so that an extensive systemic workup may be avoided.

Treatment of primary cutaneous amyloidosis with laser: a review of the literature

Primary cutaneous amyloidosis (PCA) is a condition characterized by tissue deposition of misfolded proteins. PCA can present in different forms, namely macular, lichen, and nodular amyloidosis. These lesions can be of cosmetic concern and are difficult to treat. Many therapeutic modalities have been suggested for the treatment of PCA, with variable efficacy, including topical and systemic medications, phototherapy, electrodessication, dermabrasion, cryosurgery, and lasers. Over the past decade, several studies have reported successful treatment of PCA with different types of lasers; however, a review of these studies has never been reported in the dermatologic literature. The aim of this study was to review the efficacy and safety of lasers in the treatment of PCA. A search of the National Library of Medicine's PubMed Database was performed. Studies were considered for inclusion based on their relevance, and specific data were extracted from all included studies. Eleven studies, comprising 64 patients, were included in this review. Significant improvements were observed in macular and lichen amyloidosis patients treated with carbon dioxide laser in two studies, while a number of case series and case reports showed good results with other types of laser in the treatment of PCA. This review was limited by the lack of large double-blinded randomized controlled trials and the overall small sample size. Laser treatment is a promising option in the treatment of PCA. Future randomized controlled trials are needed to compare the efficacy of different types of lasers and to select the best parameters for different types of PCA.