
Amyloid myopathy associated with a plasma cell dyscrasia is a rare cause of muscle hypertrophy. It can be a challenging diagnosis, since pathological findings are often elusive. In addition, the mechanism by which immunoglobulin light-chain deposition stimulates muscle overgrowth remains poorly understood. We present a 53-year old female with a 10-year history of progressive generalized muscle overgrowth. Congo-red staining and immunohistochemistry revealed perivascular lambda light chain amyloid deposits, apparent only in a second muscle biopsy. The numbers of central nuclei and satellite cells were increased, suggesting enhanced muscle progenitor cell formation. Despite the chronicity of the light chain disease, the patient showed complete resolution of hematologic findings and significant improvement of her muscle symptoms following autologous bone marrow transplantation. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and therapy for this treatable cause of a chronic myopathy with muscle hypertrophy.
Adult, 1303 Biochemistry, Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle, 10208 Institute of Neuropathology, Paraproteinemias, 610 Medicine & health, Amyloidosis, Transplantation, Autologous, 1310 Endocrinology, 2712 Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, 1311 Genetics, Muscular Diseases, 1312 Molecular Biology, 570 Life sciences; biology, Humans, Female, Immunoglobulin Light Chains, Bone Marrow Transplantation
Adult, 1303 Biochemistry, Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle, 10208 Institute of Neuropathology, Paraproteinemias, 610 Medicine & health, Amyloidosis, Transplantation, Autologous, 1310 Endocrinology, 2712 Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, 1311 Genetics, Muscular Diseases, 1312 Molecular Biology, 570 Life sciences; biology, Humans, Female, Immunoglobulin Light Chains, Bone Marrow Transplantation
| citations This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 12 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
