Transthyretin V122I amyloidosis with clinical and histological evidence of amyloid neuropathy and myopathy

Neuromuscul Disord. 2015 Jun;25(6):511-5. doi: 10.1016/j.nmd.2015.02.001. Epub 2015 Feb 14.

Abstract

Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is a genetically and clinically heterogeneous disease manifesting with predominant peripheral and autonomic neuropathy; cardiomyopathy, or both. ATTR V122I is the most common variant associated with non-neuropathic familial amyloid cardiomyopathy. We present an unusual case of V122I amyloidosis with features of amyloid neuropathy and myopathy, supported by histological confirmation in both sites and diffuse tracer uptake on (99m)Tc-3,3-Diphosphono-1,2-Propanodicarboxylic acid (DPD) scintigraphy throughout skeletal and cardiac muscle. A 64 year old Jamaican man presented with cardiac failure. Cardiac MR revealed infiltrative cardiomyopathy; abdominal fat aspirate confirmed the presence of amyloid, and he was homozygous for the V122I variant of transthyretin. He also described general weakness and EMG demonstrated myopathic features. Sural nerve and vastus lateralis biopsy showed TTR amyloid. The patient is being treated with diflunisal, an oral TTR stabilising agent. Symptomatic myopathy and neuropathy with confirmation of tissue amyloid deposition has not previously been described. Extracardiac amyloidosis has implications for diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords: Cardiomyopathy; Hereditary amyloidosis; Myopathy; Neuropathy; Transthyretin.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial / complications
  • Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial / pathology*
  • Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial / physiopathology*
  • Heart Diseases / complications*
  • Heart Diseases / pathology
  • Heart Diseases / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / complications
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis

Supplementary concepts

  • Amyloidosis, Hereditary, Transthyretin-Related