[Localized amyloidosis in the area of the head-neck. A retrospective study]

Localized amyloidosis is a benign rare process in the head and neck. From 1972 to 1992, 12 patients with amyloid deposits of the head and neck were treated at the ENT Department of the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg. Negative congo red staining of rectal biopsy specimens established that the amyloidosis was not systemic. Localized amyloidosis appeared as a diffuse grey-to-yellow mass in the nose (n = 1) or larynx (n = 11). In 10 of the 12 cases excision of amyloid was possible with preservation of adjacent functional structures. Two patients refused surgery and underwent only symptomatic treatment with clinical followup investigations. Amyloid deposits completely excised did not recur during a mean postoperative period of 10 years. When not operated, the amyloid tumors showed a slowly progressive growth pattern.