Macroglossia as initial clinical manifestation of primary amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is a rare disease caused by pathological deposit of an amyloid extracellular proteinaceus material. We report a case of a 50-year-old man with history of lips and tongue swelling associated to periorbital ecchimosys for 6 months. At the physical examination an important macroglossia was observed. Complementary tests were accomplished, and the pathological examination of the tongue biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was treated with prednisone and melphalan with an unsatisfactory response. Along the follow up the patient developed heart failure, and died 7 months after diagnosis of pulmonary infection and sepsis.

amyloidosis; macroglossia; periorbital ecchimosys