A Case of Systemic Amyloidosis Found by Goiter in Crohn's Disease

ABSTRACT

Secondary amyloidosis is characterized by accumulation of insoluble, fibrous amyloid proteins in various tissues and organs, accompanied by infectious or inflammatory diseases. Amyloidosis may involve the thyroid, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, liver, or bone marrow. Amyloidosis as a complication of Crohn's disease is rare but serious, and may worsen the prognosis. We have experienced a case of amyloid goiter and gastrointestinal amyloidosis secondary to Crohn's disease. A 74-year-old female patient with Crohn's disease was admitted to Soonchunhyang University Hospital with general weakness and poor oral intake. Anterior-neck diffuse goiter and tenderness around the navel were found. Amyloid goiter and gastrointestinal amyloidosis diagnosed by sonoguided needle biopsy of the thyroid and endoscopic biopsies of the stomach and duodenum.