[Systemic light-chain disease as a complication of plasmacytoma]

An asymptomatic multiple myeloma of the kappa-light chain type was found in a patient with nephrotic syndrome and renal insufficiency. Light microscopy showed nodular glomerulosclerosis of the kidney similar to diabetic glomerulosclerosis. Diabetes mellitus could not be demonstrated. kappa-Light chain deposits could be shown by immunohistology in the mesangium and the glomerular and tubular basal membrane. In addition, massive kappa-light chain deposits in the sinusoidal walls of the liver and at the dermoepidermal junction of the skin and in the corium were found.