ABSTRACT
Amyloid arthropathy occurs chiefly as a manifestation of beta(2) microglobulin amyloidosis in patients receiving chronic hemodialysis. AL amyloidosis complicating multiple myeloma is a less common cause. Amyloid arthropathy is exceedingly rare in patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia. We report a case characterized by lymphoplasmocytoid malignancy with monoclonal IgM production and amyloid arthropathy manifesting as bilateral symmetric polyarthritis. A synovial membrane biopsy established the diagnosis. Chemotherapy was effective in alleviating the joint manifestations. Joint symptoms in patients with monoclonal gammopathies, including those characterized by IgM secretion, should suggest amyloid arthropathy. Treatment of the blood disease may improve the joint symptoms.
Subject(s)
Amyloidosis/complications , Joint Diseases/complications , Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia/complications , Aged , Amyloidosis/pathology , Arthroscopy , Biopsy , Diagnosis, Differential , Disease Progression , Humans , Joint Diseases/pathology , MaleABSTRACT
A patient meeting published criteria for remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE) was found to have a synchronous recurrence of non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma. Reported cases of RS3PE associated with hematological malignancies and other forms of cancer are reviewed.
