[Giant cells in the glomerulus and renal amyloid. Report of a case (author's transl)]

A case of primary amyloidosis in which multinucleated giant cells occurred in relation to amyloid deposits in the renal-glomerulus and in multiple other organs is reported. The ubiquity of multinucleated giant cells distinguishes the present case from those previously described in the literature. It is felt that the finding of multinucleated giant cells next to amyloid deposits in the walls of blood vessels and interstitium of several organs adds support to the theory that these cells function as macrophages. It is also suggested that in cases of amyloidosis with severe renal involvement, emergence of giant cells might be promoted by chronic dialysis.