Pulmonary amyloidosis

Abstract

Amyloidosis results from the deposition of insoluble, fibrous amyloid proteins, nearly always in the extracelluler species of organs and tissues. Amyloid deposition may occur in association with inflammatory, hereditary or neoplastic conditions. It may develop as part of a disorder of immunoglobulins. Virchow first described amyloid involving the lungs in 1857. Pulmonary amyloidosis may be localized to be respiratory tract or may be part of a widespread process involving many organs. Localized pulmonary amyloidosis is a rare disorder that appears in four forms; tracheobronchial, nodular parenchymal, diffuse interstitial and senile pulmonary amyloidosis.