[Amyloid and orthopedic pathology : Early diagnosis may allow live-saving treatment of systemic amyloidosis]

Amyloidosis denotes a group of rare, but often fatal diseases which result from abnormal folding and deposition of insoluble proteins with subsequent organ damage especially of the heart and the kidneys. Histologic identification of amyloid by Congo red staining and by immunohistochemistry in the musculoskeletal system by orthopedic pathology especially in specimens from surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbar spinal stenosis and spontaneous tendon rupture, but also from other sites of the musculoskeletal system may facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of amyloidosis. Appropriate techniques for the detection of amyloid should be included in the routine diagnostic workup of all rheumatologic pathology specimens.