IPLab:Lab 6:Amyloidosis
Contents
Clinical SummaryEdit
This 46-year-old male with a long-standing history of rheumatoid arthritis was admitted for treatment of pneumonia. Subsequently, complications associated with lung abscesses, empyema, and septicemia led to the patient's death.
At autopsy the liver weighed 2600 grams. It was yellowish-tan in color and cut with difficulty (fibrosis?). No other pathological changes were noted except for pneumonia and lung abscesses.
ImagesEdit
This is a gross photograph of kidney from this case. Note the pale yellow material within the cortex (arrows). This is indicative of amyloid within the cortex and the glomeruli. Also note that there are multiple red spots in the cortex. These represent congested glomeruli due to the vascular compromise produced by the amyloid.
Virtual MicroscopyEdit
Study QuestionsEdit
Additional ResourcesEdit
ReferenceEdit
- eMedicine Medical Library: Amyloidosis
- eMedicine Medical Library: Amyloidosis, AA (Inflammatory)
- Merck Manual: Amyloidosis
Journal ArticlesEdit
- Obici L, Merlini G. AA amyloidosis: basic knowledge, unmet needs and future treatments. Swiss Med Wkly 2012 May 31;142:w13580.
ImagesEdit
Related IPLab CasesEdit
In alcoholics, aspiration pneumonia is common--bacteria enter the lung via aspiration of gastric contents.
An abscess is a collection of pus (white blood cells) within a cavity formed by disintegrated tissue.
A normal liver weighs 1650 grams (range: 1500 to 1800 grams).