Macular amyloidosis with localized amyloidosis of upper air passages

A patient with primary amyloidosis of the upper air passages was found to have cutaneous macular amyloidosis. A review of the literature indicates that this may represent the first report of these two uncommon forms of amyloidosis occurring in the same individual. Biopsy material from the nasopharynx, tonsillar areas, larynx, trachea, and skin showed amyloid in the tissue sections. Special stains were used and polariscopic studies were performed, and the hyalin material met the established criteria for amyloid. Studies of tissues from other parts of the body of this patient failed to demonstrate amyloid.