The blue man: a novel cutaneous manifestation of systemic amyloidosis

Amyloid. 2011 Sep;18(3):156-9. doi: 10.3109/13506129.2011.571318. Epub 2011 Apr 20.

Abstract

Multiple cutaneous manifestations of amyloidosis have been described, and include periorbital purpura, plaques, nodules, and papules. Blue skin tint is not a previously described feature of cutaneous amyloidosis. We report the clinical case of a patient with known multiple myeloma and amyloidosis of the gastrointestinal tract who presented with progressive "blueness" of the skin. Dermatopathological examination and mass spectrometry of a skin biopsy specimen revealed the presence of subcutaneous amyloid light chain (AL) deposition. We believe this to be the first reported case of blue skin resulting from systemic amyloidosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid / metabolism
  • Amyloidosis / complications
  • Amyloidosis / metabolism
  • Amyloidosis / pathology*
  • Biopsy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma / complications
  • Multiple Myeloma / metabolism
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology*
  • Skin Diseases / complications
  • Skin Diseases / metabolism
  • Skin Diseases / pathology*

Substances

  • Amyloid
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains
  • amyloid protein AL