Diagnosis: Systemic amyloidosis
Description: Swollen tongue
Morphology: Swelling
Site: Tongue
Sex: F
Age: 75
Type: Clinical
Submitted By: Ian McColl
Differential DiagnosisHistory:
Systemic amyloidosis is usually asssociated with underlying plasma cell dyscrasias.In this lady's case she had Multiple myeloma.The fibrils of amyloid are made up of immunoglobulin light chains which infiltrate superficial blood vessels causing hemorrhage with mild trauma.The tongue can be uniformly thickened or studded with papules or plaques of amyloid.