Three Cases of Amyloidosis Diagnosed by Endoscopic Biopsy of Stomach / 대한소화기내시경학회지

ABSTRACT

Since amyloidosis is usually diagnosed later in the disease process, a high index of suspicion is therefore necessary for earlier diagnosis. Confirmative diagnosis rests on a biopsy of the involved organ. Gastrointestinal amyloidosis causes a variety of symptoms including intestinal obstruction, ulcers, malabsorption, hemorrhaging, protein loss, diarrhea, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and dysphagia. We confirmed amyloid deposits in the stomach in three patients with epigastric pain through a biopsy of erosive gastritis documented on a gastrofiberscopy. One patient with primary amyloidosis which had invaded his kidney, stomach, and heart, expired, although aggressive treatment with a pacemaker insertion, peritoneal dialysis, and ventilator care was performed. Another patient with multiple myeloma died on the 38th day, after having started systemic chemotherapy. The other patient with secondary amyloidosis due to rheumatoid arthritis, is currently receiving colchicine at our out patient clinic.