[Polyneuropathy, diarrhea]

A 44-year-old patient with 24 kg reduction of body weight within three years due to recurrent diarrhea was admitted to the hospital. Physical findings of the patient were not remarkable, except for hypesthesia and hypalgesia of the front of the tibia and of the lower legs. Laboratory as well as endoscopic and functional examinations of the gastrointestinal tract did not reveal any remarkable finding. Infectious origins of the disease were excluded. A histological examination of a rectum specimen yielded amyloid deposits in the submucosa of the rectum. In the family history of the patient, relatives with liver and gastrointestinal diseases due to amyloidosis were detected. Amyloid deposits and the positive family history of the patient led to the diagnosis of a gastrointestinal manifestation of familial amyloidosis.