Light-chain amyloidosis with dysphagia as the main symptom: a case report

Abstract

Abstract Background Immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis is a relatively rare condition with a worldwide incidence of 5.1–12.8 cases per million person-years (Baker, 2022). It is characterized by a clonal population of immunoglobulin-secreting cells that produce a monoclonal light chain of κ or λ type as either an intact molecule or a fragment. Case presentation A 69-year-old East Asian (Chinese) male patient who presented with progressive dysphagia visited multiple hospitals repeatedly for more than 2 years and was finally diagnosed with immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis. Conclusions Otolaryngologists should consider immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis when encountering suspicious clinical manifestations and intervene early to avoid misdiagnosis.

Keywords

• Dysphagia
• Light-chain amyloidosis
• Enlarged tongue
• Deglutition
• Case report