A 19-year-old healthy Indian female noted blurred vision, redness, and pain in the right eye (RE) for 6 months. On examination, visual acuity (VA) was counting fingers in RE and 20/20 in left eye (LE). The RE demonstrated shallow anterior chamber with 360 degrees peripheral anterior synechiae. Approximately 400 translucent spherules of 50-200 micron diameter were embedded in the iris stroma and anterior chamber angle [Fig. and ]. Other findings included posterior subcapsular cataract, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) of 30 mm Hg, and advanced glaucomatous damage with C:D ratio of 0.9:1. The LE was normal. Iris biopsy demonstrated acellular, amorphous hyaline deposits within the iris stroma, weakly staining with Congo red, suggestive of amyloid []. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed amyloid fibrils []. Results of analysis with in situ hybridization for subtyping were inconclusive due to the presence of heavily melanized melanocytes. Systemic evaluation including complete blood count, liver and kidney function tests, serum and urine protein electrophoresis, serum and urine light chain protein, bone marrow biopsy, and PET CT scan were normal. Over the following 3 years, the patient developed cataract, uncontrolled glaucoma, and corneal decompensation, requiring cataract surgery, glaucoma valve surgery, and penetrating keratoplasty, with final VA at 20/30 in affected eye [Fig. and ].
A 64-year-old male with a history of CKD Stage 3 with 330 mg/day of proteinuria (eGFR by 4-variable MDRD of 52 mL/min/1.73 m2 with a baseline serum creatinine of 1.7 mg/dL), monoclonal gammopathy with elevated kappa light chains on urine protein electrophoresis, and anemia of chronic disease presented over multiple hospitalizations with complaints of peripheral neuropathy, orthostatic hypotension, and unintentional weight loss. The initial investigation included normal levels of vitamin B-12, folate, heavy metals, and was negative for myelin associated glycoprotein antibodies and lyme antibodies. A bone marrow biopsy was completed to rule out progression to multiple myeloma and demonstrated normocellular bone marrow, no clonal plasma cell populations, and an eosinophilic deposit negative for Congo red stain. A 4 mm osteosclerotic lesion was biopsied and demonstrated similar deposits. An abdominal fat-pad biopsy was also negative for Congo red stain. An echocardiogram demonstrated nonspecific findings suggestive of amyloidosis including concentric left and right ventricle hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, biatrial enlargement, and tricuspid and mitral valve regurgitation. A renal biopsy was postponed due to concern for a bleeding diathesis as he developed severe right flank ecchymosis after a short coughing bout and subsequently severe thrombocytopenia. A bone marrow biopsy was repeated and amorphous material was suggestive of amyloid deposits but again negative for Congo red stain by two separate pathology laboratories. The patient subsequently developed nonnephrotic range proteinuria of 2.2 gm g/day and acute kidney injury. The acute kidney injury progressed to dialysis-dependent renal failure. During creation of an arteriovenous fistula for dialysis, a segment of the radial artery and brachial vein were submitted for testing and were also negative for Congo red stain. A renal biopsy was performed and was positive for Congo red stain with characteristic apple-green birefringence in the amyloid deposits involving the glomeruli, vessels, and interstitium (). Immunofluorescent histology confirmed kappa light chain deposition and electron microscopy demonstrated amyloid deposits characterized by relatively straight, nonbranching, randomly arranged fibrils. Following the completion of the renal biopsy, a final analysis of the second bone marrow biopsy by a third facility recognized as a center of excellence confirmed the presence of AL- (kappa-) type amyloid by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry of peptides microdissected from the bone marrow specimen. The patient was referred to an outside facility for treatment where he received melphalan and dexamethasone. He did not have an adequate hematologic response to therapy and died eight months after AL-amyloidosis was confirmed by renal biopsy.