Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.
2001 Feb;44(2):215-217.
A Case of Localized Amyloidosis of Tonsil
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Otolaryngology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea. ent50@madang.ajou.ac.kr
Abstract
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The term "amyloidosis" is a disease characterized by deposition of altered proteins in the tissue. The amyloid deposit occurs always in the extracellular matrix and presents a fibrillary conformation. Primary localized tonsillar amyloidosis is a very rare disease of unknown cause that occurs in the absence of systemic involvement of amyloidosis or associated chronic inflammatory diseases. We present a case of primary localized amyloidosis in the left tonsil. Histopathologic examination of the mass revealed findings consistent with amyloidosis, which were stained with Congo Red and apple green birefringence under the polarized light fluorescence microscopy. An extensive workup for systemic involvement of amyloidosis was negative and the patient underwent tonsillectomy. The postoperative recovery was uneventful. At present, the patient has no evidence of disease or recurrence.