Wild-type Transthyretin Amyloidosis with Diffuse Alveolar-septal Amyloidosis Diagnosed by a Transbronchial Lung Biopsy

Intern Med. 2022;61(14):2203-2207. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.8521-21. Epub 2022 Jul 15.

Abstract

A 69-year-old man visited our pulmonary medicine department for dyspnea. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed ground-glass opacity bilaterally in the lungs. Upon performing a transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB), organizing pneumonia was diagnosed. His electrocardiogram revealed low voltage, and the cardiac ultrasound revealed hypertrophy of the interventricular septum. The patient had bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and amyloidosis was suspected. Congo red stain was added to the lung biopsy specimen. Amyloid deposition of transthyretin (ATTR) was positive, mutations with amino acid changes were not observed in the TTR gene. Wild-type ATTR Amyloidosis (ATTRwt amyloidosis) was diagnosed using a TBLB. Chest CT after treatment with steroids revealed diffuse alveolar-septal amyloidosis.

Keywords: cardiomyopathy; transthyretin; wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial* / complications
  • Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial* / diagnosis
  • Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial* / genetics
  • Biopsy
  • Echocardiography
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Male
  • Prealbumin / genetics

Substances

  • Prealbumin

Supplementary concepts

  • Amyloidosis, Hereditary, Transthyretin-Related