Ariyaratnam S, Sweet C, Duxbury J
1S. Ariyaratnam, Specialist in Oral Medicine and Surgical Dentistry, Unit of Oral Medicine, University Dental Hospital of Manchester, Manchester, M15 6FH, UK.
Br Dent J. 2005 Oct 8;199(7):433-5. doi: 10.1038/sj.bdj.4812742.
Myeloma is a disease of the bone marrow in which there is malignant proliferation of plasma cells. Myeloma is usually associated with the accumulation of a monoclonal immunoglobulin or light chains in plasma and subsequently an increase in light chains in the urine (Bence-Jones proteins). Renal failure can occur and bone destruction in the axial skeleton may ensue with pain and fractures. Amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma is a relatively common finding. The most frequently reported oral sign of amyloidosis is macroglossia. There are numerous cases in the literature of amyloid deposition in tongues related to multiple myeloma. However, none of these cases describe amyloid deposition surrounding arteries in the oral cavity. We therefore report a case of an innocuous lower labial swelling, which subsequently led to the diagnosis of amyloid deposition surrounding an artery, the cause of which was later shown to be multiple myeloma.
