Spontaneous Resolution of a Pulmonary Cystic Amyloidosis Mass

Abstract

Introduction: Amyloidosis is a rare illness characterized by the deposition in organs of amyloid, which can be detected by histological staining. Amyloidosis restricted to the lower respiratory tract is unusual. Results: We reported the case of a 68-year-old woman with no history of chronic disease who presented with dyspnoea on exertion, cough and fatigue. The physical examination was unremarkable. A CT scan showed a cystic mass with a thickened wall in the apical segment of the left lower lobe. A biopsy of the mass was performed, and histological and immunohistochemical study confirmed the diagnosis of AL amyloidosis. The patient’s clinical and radiological symptoms spontaneously improved without treatment after 3 years. Conclusion: Amyloid-related cystic lung disease is a rare presentation of amyloidosis in the thorax. More case reports are required to determine if such masses can resolve without treatment and whether amyloid-associated cystic lung disease actually exists.

Keywords

• amyloidosis
• lung
• pulmonary cystic mass