A case of atypical amyloid polyneuropathy with predominant upper-limb involvement with the diagnosis unexpectedly found at lung operation

Intern Med. 2010;49(15):1627-31. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.49.3663. Epub 2010 Aug 2.

Abstract

We present a patient of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) with predominant upper-limb involvement, the pattern of which resembled a mononeuropathy multiplex pattern. Sural nerve biopsy failed to diagnose the disorder, but lung partial resection performed later for other diagnostic purposes suggested FAP. A rare mutation in the transthyretin gene (S50R) was subsequently confirmed. Diagnostic challenges of FAP with atypical clinical presentations, including difficulties in pathological diagnosis, are discussed with a review of the literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid Neuropathies / diagnosis*
  • Amyloid Neuropathies / genetics
  • Amyloid Neuropathies / surgery*
  • Arm*
  • Humans
  • Lung / pathology*
  • Lung / surgery*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prealbumin / genetics
  • Sural Nerve / pathology

Substances

  • Prealbumin