DERMATOPATHOLOGIC FINDINGS IN 20 CASES OF SYSTEMIC AMYLOIDOSIS

The clinical finding of systemic amyloidosis are often variable and no nspecific. The early recognition of this disorder relies upon clinical suspicion, and definite diagnosis requires the confirmation of amyloi d deposits in tissue. We reviewed 31 skin biopsy specimens from 20 pat ients, including 17 with amyloid light chain (AL) protein amyloidosis and 3 with serum amyloid A (AA) protein amyloidosis. Histologically, a myloid can be present in the papillary dermis, reticular dermis, subcu tis, around the appendages, and in or around blood vessels. In our ser ies, all 20 patients had at least one positive skin biopsy. Amyloid wa s found in 30 of 31 specimens (97%), a higher rate than in most series . Skin biopsy is a simple, safe procedure with high yield and may be u sed to obtain a firm diagnosis of systemic amyloidosis.