Imaging features of pulmonary involvement in a case of systemic amyloidosis: A classic case

Abstract

Amyloidosis is a disease caused by pathologic extracellular deposition of abnormal insoluble proteins throughout the body [1]. Pulmonary amyloidosis is a form of amyloid deposition confined in the lung parenchyma and may cause airway obstruction, dysphagia, and chronic pleural effusions, often with nonspecific chest imaging findings [1,2].
 A 56-year-old male with underlying light chain multiple myeloma and systemic amyloidosis presented with fever for 2 days without dyspnea or cough. Further chest imaging revealed nonspecific findings including consolidations, ground-glass opacities, interlobular septal thickening in both upper lobes, and bilateral pleural effusions; a diagnosis of pneumonia with pulmonary edema was made. After the patient failed to respond to treatment, bronchoscopy with tissue biopsy was performed for unresolving pneumonia. Histopathological results were consistent with pulmonary amyloidosis.