[Amyloidosis of the vitreous body. Possibilities of diagnosis]

Vitreous amyloidosis is often the presenting clinical manifestation of type I, type II or Jewish-type familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). FAP is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder. It is caused by systemic deposition of variants of transthyretin (TTR), formerly called prealbumin. TTR is a tetrameric protein with beta pleated sheets (mol wt = 56,000 dalton). In two cases we were able to confirm the clinical diagnosis of vitreous amyloidosis. Immunohistochemistry revealed TTR in vitreous samples after therapeutic pp vitrectomy for vitreous opacity. The same result was found in samples of rectal mucosa. Amyloid was not found in skin. Isoelectrical focusing disclosed that TTR in the serum was the Portuguese (TTR-Met 30) variant. Together with polyneuropathy of the lower limbs, a diagnosis of FAB type I was made. In the second generation of the first patient's family the normal variant was found (the pathologic gene was not inherited). In the second case the pathologic variant was detected in the second generation, but without any pathologic clinical features. The third generation showed the normal variant. The disorder was detectable before any clinical signs were present. These findings are also important for genetic counseling.