RENAL, GASTRIC AND THYROIDAL AMYLOIDOSIS DUE TO FAMILIAL MEDITERRANEAN FEVER

Chronic renal failure developed in a 10-year-old girl due to renal amy loidosis secondary to familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), During manag ement of the chronic renal failure by hemodialysis and of FMF with col chicine, goiter and hypothroidism were observed. Thyroid fine-needle a spiration and gastric endoscopical biopsies, performed when recurrent abdominal pain could not be controlled, revealed amyloid deposits in b oth thyroid and gastric tissues. After 6 months' therapy with colchici ne and levothyroxine, there was no significant change in the thyroid v olume. This is the first case in which gastric amyloidosis secondary t o FMF in childhood has been demonstrated. Patients with amyloidosis se condary to FMF who have thyroid enlargement and unexplained gastrointe stinal symptoms despite adequate therapy should be evaluated with imag ing studies and biopsy examinations.