Solitary myeloma with massive extracellular crystalline structures--a case report

J Korean Med Sci. 1991 Jun;6(2):165-71. doi: 10.3346/jkms.1991.6.2.165.

Abstract

We describe a case of solitary myeloma showing cystic change filled with massive crystalline structures in a 54-year-old woman. A bone X-ray showed a solitary cystic osteolytic lesion in the right iliac bone. Serum and urine protein electrophoresis showed no demonstrable M-protein, and bone-marrow aspirates did not show any myeloma cells. Histologic examination of the tumor revealed aggregation of plasma cells with massive extracellular infiltration of the rhomboid-shaped crystalline structures. In immunoperoxidase staining, both these crystalline structures and the cytoplasms of the myeloma cells demonstrated a positive reaction for lambda light chain. By electron microscope, the large extracellular crystalline structures were observed, and we found unique rhomboid or rectangular-shaped crystalline structures in the cytoplasms of the myeloma cells.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bone Neoplasms / immunology
  • Bone Neoplasms / ultrastructure*
  • Crystallization
  • Extracellular Space / immunology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains / ultrastructure
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Middle Aged
  • Plasmacytoma / immunology
  • Plasmacytoma / ultrastructure*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains