Tracheobronchial Amyloidosis Causing Left Lung Collapse: A Case Report
Tracheobronchial amyloidosis is a rare condition characterized by the deposition of amyloid proteins in the trachea and bronchi, leading to significant respiratory symptoms such as chronic mucoid, cough, dyspnea, and recurrent respiratory infections. We present the case of a 61-year-old individual who developed tracheobronchial amyloidosis, which poses a diagnostic challenge due to its clinical and radiological resemblance to other pulmonary disorders, including chronic bronchitis. Histologically, tracheobronchial amyloidosis is characterized by the presence of amyloid deposits confirmed by Congo red staining, which shows apple-green birefringence under polarized light. Further confirmation can be obtained through electron microscopy, revealing non-branching fibrils. This report explores the clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and management of tracheobronchial amyloidosis. Therapeutic interventions may include bronchoscopic procedures to remove obstructive amyloid deposits and systemic treatments such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy to address the underlying amyloid process, aiming to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Authors
- Robert E. Thomas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3439-2669)
- Arun Adlakha
- Rayhan Karimi
Institutions
- Piedmont Atlanta Hospital (US)
- Pulmonary Associates (US)
- Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Cureus
- Published
- 2024-10-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.71658
- Primary Topic
- Amyloidosis: Diagnosis, Treatment, Outcomes
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00