Abstract
Amyloidosis is the term given to abnormal deposition of misfolded precursor proteins
at single or multiple sites, leading to organ dysfunction or clinical signs and symptoms.
Pulmonary manifestations are nonspecific and may be associated with several amyloid
protein subtypes, commonly AL (light chain) and AA (autoimmune) amyloids. Signs or
symptoms of amyloid disease may often involve more of the clinical abnormalities of
other affected organs than the lungs themselves. Radiologic pulmonary findings include
septal and parenchymal ground glass or nodular infiltrates, multiple nodules, cysts,
and focal tracheobronchial abnormalities. Lymphadenopathy with or without calcification
and pleural effusions has also been reported. Directed therapy is initiated in response
to clinical signs or symptoms often as a result of systemic or secondary diseases
or conditions. Long-term prognosis is more dependent on the extent of organ involvement
where morbidity is often the highest in those with multisystemic disease.
Keywords
amyloidosis - AL amyloid - AA amyloid - transthyretin amyloidosis - tracheobronchial
amyloid
