Amyloidosis of the mesentery and blood vessel

Abstract

Introduction: Amyloidosis is a disease of unknown etiology, characterized by the deposition of amorphous substance (amyloid) in the extracellular spaces of various organs and tissues, causing functional and structural alterations depending on the location and intensity of the deposition.
Objective: To describe the clinical, laboratory, and imaging alterations in a patient with a rare diagnosis of mesenteric amyloidosis.
Clinical case: A 43-year-old white male patient with a background of good health reports that a year ago he began experiencing liquid diarrhea, 5 to 6 times per day, without phlegm or blood, accompanied by dyspepsia, asthenia, adynamia, edema in both lower limbs, and a weight loss of 30 kilograms. On physical examination, a positive finding was subcutaneous tissue infiltration in both lower limbs up to the knees, grade II, with difficult pitting edema. He was admitted for study in the gastroenterology ward; an abdominal ultrasound and abdominal computed tomography with oral and intravenous contrast were performed, showing findings compatible with mesenteric panniculitis. Nodular erythematous duodenitis was diagnosed after performing oral panendoscopy. Mesenteric biopsy revealed histological diagnosis compatible with mesenteric amyloidosis. The patient receives multidisciplinary care from Gastroenterology, Nephrology, Hematology, and Cardiology with personalized treatment and a favorable evolution.
Conclusions: Amyloidosis is an uncommon diagnosis, for which there is no universally accepted treatment protocol. It requires multidisciplinary medical care with specific and personalized treatment depending on the extent and evolutionary stage of the disease.