Primary amyloidosis presenting as massive cervical lymphadenopathy with severe dyspnea: a case report and review of the literature.

Abstract

Amyloidosis is an end point of several diseases in which the unifying characteristic is the association and extracellular deposition of the insoluble protein fibrils within various tissues and organs. We have discussed a variety of clinical findings of primary amyloidosis with emphasis on its otolaryngologic manifestations. This case represents the second report in the literature of a neck mass resulting from a plasma cell dyscrasia and the first report of AL disease producing such extensive cervical lymphadenopathy as to cause significant respiratory compromise.