Localized nasopharyngeal amyloidosis: A case report

Amyloidosis is a rare condition on its own but finding localized amyloidosis of a site such as the nasopharynx is an extremely rare condition with very few cases described in the literature. The condition occurs due to the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the extracellular space disrupting the cell architecture and causing eventual dysfunction. In this case report we discuss the pathophysiology, symptoms, and imaging findings of a patient initially thought to have giant cell arteritis, but who was found on CT to have a mass later determined to be localized nasopharyngeal amyloidosis. Evaluation will require biopsy as it is the gold standard, but there are many other tests and even reasons to consider the use of interventional radiology to sample other tissues rather than the primary target site for amyloid deposition in conjunction with nuclear imaging.