Isolated nodular thymic amyloidosis associated with diplopia

Ann Thorac Surg. 2014 Oct;98(4):1470-2. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2013.11.084.

Abstract

An 85-year-old man presented with diplopia and anterior mediastinal tumor that had enlarged during the preceding 4-year period. Computed tomographic chest imaging showed an irregularly shaped mass comprising two nodules (diameter, 4 cm) with calcification. Suspecting thymoma, we performed video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy. The resected specimen showed deposition of homogeneous eosinophilic and hyalinized material around the vessel wall in thymic tissue, and it stained positively for anti-λ antibody, indicating localized AL amyloidosis. There was no other organ dysfunction or symptoms and no evidence of systemic amyloidosis. Diplopia resolved immediately after thymectomy; however, the connection of diplopia with amyloidoma and thymic tissue remains uncertain.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Amyloidosis / complications*
  • Amyloidosis / surgery
  • Diplopia / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Diseases / complications*
  • Lymphatic Diseases / surgery
  • Male
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted
  • Thymus Gland / pathology*