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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
09:41
Performing and Processing FNA of Anterior Fat Pad for Amyloid
Published on: October 30, 2010
[Pseudotumoral mediastinal amyloidosis]
I Ridene1, A Ayadi, S Hantous-Zannad
1Service d'Imagerie médicale, Hôpital Abderrahmen Mami, Ariana, Tunisie. imene.ridenebenrejeb@rns.tn
Journal De Radiologie
|May 29, 2010
Summary
Mediastinal amyloidosis can mimic tumors, posing a diagnostic challenge. This condition, especially when involving pulmonary structures, can rapidly worsen airway obstruction.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Mediastinal lymph node amyloidosis is uncommon and can be misdiagnosed as malignancy.
- Pseudotumoral amyloidosis presents a diagnostic challenge, particularly when isolated and without systemic involvement.
Observation:
- Three cases of pseudotumoral mediastinal amyloidosis presenting with respiratory symptoms are reported.
- Bronchoscopy revealed mucosal infiltration suggestive of lymphangitic tumor spread.
- Imaging (CT) showed mediastinal and pulmonary tumor-like processes and diffuse bronchial wall thickening.
Findings:
- Diagnosis was confirmed via mediastinoscopic biopsy, revealing tracheobronchial amyloidosis in one case.
- No evidence of extra-thoracic amyloidosis was found in the patients.
- One patient experienced rapid progression of bronchial obstruction.
Implications:
- The imaging findings of mediastinal amyloidosis are nonspecific.
- Pseudotumoral mediastinal amyloidosis, particularly with pulmonary involvement, can accelerate airway obstruction.
- Increased awareness is needed for this rare condition to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure timely management.
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03:03Amyloid Fibrils
Amyloid fibrils are aggregates of misfolded proteins. Under most circumstances, misfolded proteins are either refolded by chaperone proteins or degraded by the proteasome. However, in the case of a mutation or a disease, these proteins can accumulate to form large clusters and often further assemble to form elongated fibers, called fibrils.
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen. In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining, normally used to...
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen. In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining, normally used to...
03:03Amyloid Fibrils
Amyloid fibrils are aggregates of misfolded proteins. Under most circumstances, misfolded proteins are either refolded by chaperone proteins or degraded by the proteasome. However, in the case of a mutation or a disease, these proteins can accumulate to form large clusters and often further assemble to form elongated fibers, called fibrils.
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen. In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining, normally used to...
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen. In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining, normally used to...