Abstract

Although intestinal bleeding is known to occur in amyloidosis, it is rare as a presenting symptom or sole manifestation of the disease. We experienced a case of intestinal hemor-rhage in a 64-year old female patient with primary amyloidosis, kappa type. Antral muco-sal erosions were discovered and one shallow healing ulcer at the angle. Colonoscopy revealed multiple purplish nodules in the sigmoid colon and descending colon, as well as a large shallow ulcer with blood clots in the sigmoid colon which was suspected to be the intestinal hemorrhage site. Endoscopic biopsy established amyloidosis. Polarizing microscopy after Congo red staining and immunohistochemical staining identified primary amyloid, kappa type. A case of intestinal hemorrhage in patients with primary amyloidosis is presented and the literature is reviewed. ( Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 19: 111 ∼117, 1999 )

• Keywords: Amyloidosis, Intestinal hemorrhage