SEVERE GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLICATIONS OF DIALYSIS-RELATED AMYLOIDOSISIN 2 PATIENTS ON LONG-TERM HEMODIALYSIS

Two patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis developed severe gastro intestinal complications due to dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA). Ca se 1, a 68-year-old male on hemodialysis for 18 years developed marked gastric dilatation and severe paralytic ileus. Five years later he di ed of peritonitis. Autopsy showed extensive amyloid deposits in the mu scle layers and blood vessels throughout the gastrointestinal tract. C ase 2, a 56-year-old male on hemodialysis for 19 years, developed panp eritonitis due to perforation of the sigmoid colon. The resected colon showed massive amyloid deposits in the muscle layers. In both cases, immunological studies revealed positive staining for antihuman beta(2) -microglobulin antibody. In long-term hemodialysis patients with gastr ointestinal symptoms, gastrointestinal complications of DRA should be considered.