An interesting case of AL amyloidosis and MM: a complex scenario with cardiac involvement

BMJ Case Rep. 2024 Jan 24;17(1):e256012. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2023-256012.

Abstract

Our patient presented with complaints of progressive shortness of breath for 1 month. She was diagnosed with a case of infiltrative type of restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) based on echocardiography and cardiac MRI findings. Her fat pad biopsy was suggestive of AL type of amyloidosis (AL). She was diagnosed with a case of multiple myeloma (MM) based on bone marrow biopsy findings with 48% plasma cells and a skeletal survey with lytic bone lesions on the skull, thus meeting the Crab criteria. We want to highlight the complex nature of this case and the difficulties associated with making a diagnosis. This case report presents an excellent opportunity to touch on the interesting topics of RCM, amyloidosis and MM.

Keywords: Cardiovascular medicine; Haematology (incl blood transfusion); Malignant and Benign haematology; Oncology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amyloidosis* / complications
  • Amyloidosis* / diagnosis
  • Amyloidosis* / pathology
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis* / complications
  • Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis* / diagnosis
  • Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis* / pathology
  • Multiple Myeloma* / complications
  • Multiple Myeloma* / diagnosis
  • Multiple Myeloma* / pathology
  • Plasma Cells / pathology