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Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials

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ISSN (Print): 1574-8871
ISSN (Online): 1876-1038

Case Studies

Multiple Myeloma Associated Intestinal Amyloidosis: Intestinal Pseudoobstruction Falsely Considered as an Ascites

Author(s): Vladimir Milivojevic*, Maja Stojanovic, Ivan Rankovic, Marjan Micev, Rada Jesic Vukicevic and Tomica Milosavljevic

Volume 13, Issue 1, 2018

Page: [79 - 81] Pages: 3

DOI: 10.2174/0929867324666170830114914

Price: $65

Abstract

Introduction: Amyloidosis is a group of diseases pathohistologically diagnosed by characteristic extracellular deposition of an abnormal fibrillary protein (i.e. amyloid) into organs, leading to organ dysfunction secondary to destruction of normal tissue architecture. Methods: Case-report of a 44 year-old female, presenting with massive abdominal distension clinically suspected of ascites.

Results: On admission, the patient was complaining of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, distension and bloating associated with weight loss and diarrhoea. Her prior medical history revealed a treatment naïve viral hepatitis C (HCV) infection with normal liver tests. She was on long term haemodialysis due to end-stage renal disease. Based on clinical, laboratory and radiology findings we established the diagnosis of light chain amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma, complicated with amyloid bowel depositions and intestinal pseudo-obstruction. On imaging, diffuse liver enlargement was seen. Liver biopsy could have rendered the possible cause of hepatomegaly, but patient’s noncompliance hindered the answer whether liver involvement was the consequence of a chronic hepatitis due to HCV infection or amyloid accumulation. Unfortunately, consequent patient’s death prevented specific treatment implementation.

Conclusion: Patients with multiple myeloma and obscure abdominal complaints should be worked up for amyloidosis. Intestinal pseudo-obstruction due to amyloidosis can imitate in certain instances ascites hence complicating diagnostic algorithm. In such complex clinical cases, close collaboration between surgeon, gastroenterohepatologist and haematologist is necessary.

Keywords: Amyloidosis, ascites, case-report, haemodialysis, intestinal pseudo-obstruction, multiple myeloma.

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