GASTROINTESTINAL AMYLOIDOSIS - RADIOLOGIC FEATURES BY CHEMICAL TYPES

PURPOSE: To determine the correlation between the radiographic and his tologic findings of amyloidosis according to chemical type of amyloid protein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 49 patients with amyloidosis were examined radiographically, and gastrointestinal tract biopsy specimens were studied histologically. RESULTS: Considerable differences were f ound between amyloid proteins. On immunohistochemical studies, amyloid A produced a coarse mucosal pattern with innumerable fine granular el evations, which reflected expansion of the lamina propria by amyloid d eposits. Polypoid protrusions and invariable thickening of the folds w ere evident only in light chain protein, correlating with massive amyl oid deposits in the muscularis mucosae and submucosa. beta 2-Microglob ulin produced marked delay in transit time and dilatation of the small and large intestines, relating to extensive amyloid deposits in the m uscularis propria. The prevalence of these radiographic changes was hi ghest in the small intestine for every chemical type. CONCLUSION: Char acteristic radiographic changes of each chemical type of amyloid prote in can be detected well in the small intestine.