Skin Biopsy Gives the Potential Benefit in the Diagnosis of Systemic Amyloidosis Associated With Cardiac Involvement

Neurological complications in plasma cell dyscrasias

“…Skin and rectal biopsies are also positive in more than 80% of patients, which is comparable to subcutaneous abdominal fat aspiration (Kyle and Greipp, 1983;Huang et al, 1998).…”

Nerve biopsy: Current indications and decision tools

“…In the absence of monoclonal gammopathy, technetium‐labeled cardiac scintigraphy can diagnose cardiac ATTR amyloidosis with a positive predictive value of 100%. Other modalities include skin biopsy 76 to evaluate for amyloid deposits and evidence of small fiber neuropathy (SFN), 77 feet electrochemical skin conductance 78 to measure early dysautonomia and periumbilical US for amyloid deposits. 79 …”

“…Mass spectrometry offers higher sensitivity and specificity but is expensive and primarily found in specialized centers. [70][71][72][73][74] 76 to evaluate for amyloid deposits and evidence of small fiber neuropathy (SFN), 77 feet electrochemical skin conductance 78 to measure early dysautonomia and periumbilical US for amyloid deposits. 79…”

Part I: Cutaneous manifestations of cardiovascular disease

“…Surgical skin biopsy of subcutaneous fat combined with rectal mucosal biopsy may also confirm the diagnosis of AL amyloidosis; conversely, a negative result indicates an unlikely diagnosis. 47 , 48 Punch or excisional biopsies of purpuric lesions may also be performed and often reveal amorphous, eosinophilic masses in the dermis and subcutis with perivascular chronic inflammation. Skin biopsies characteristically show diffuse amyloid deposition in the form of nodules and plaques.…”