Lacrimal Gland Amyloidosis in an Elderly Patient

Abstract

Localized amyloidosis of the lacrimal gland is a rare disease. We report a case of transthyretin-positive localized amyloidosis of the lacrimal gland in a 74-year-old man with left lacrimal gland swelling. Biopsy of the left lacrimal gland showed extensive deposition of nonstructural eosinophilic material in the secretory gland and ducts, which stained positive with direct fast scarlet. Immunostaining was negative for amyloid A and positive for both globulin light chain (kappa, lambda) and transthyretin. It is necessary to consider the possibility of senile systemic amyloidosis, even if localized amyloidosis of the lacrimal gland is suspected.

Keywords

• lacrimal gland
• localized amyloidosis
• transthyretin