Primary systemic amyloidosis with giant hepatomegaly and portal hypertension: a case report and a review of the literature

Abstract

Amyloidosis is a manifestation of a group of diseases resulting from the variable infiltration of multiple organs by a fibrillar protein called amyloid. Hepatic involvement in amyloidosis is common both in the primary and in the secondary forms, whereas clinically-dominant liver amyloidosis is relatively rare. The authors describe a case of primary systemic amyloidosis with giant hepatomegaly, portal hypertension and renal insufficiency; the patient did not develop jaundice, ascites or gastrointestinal bleeding but died 6 months later, death being due to cerebral haemorrhage.