[Gastrointestinal amyloidosis].

A series of 29 cases of amyloidosis of the alimentary tract is reported. Five cases (17%) were primary amyloidosis; 14 cases (48%) were amyloidosis secondary to other diseases (such as chronic inflammatory and neoplastic diseases); 10 cases (35%) were amyloidosis of the heredo-familial type connected with Familial Mediterranean Fever. In 23 patients (79%) the diagnosis was established by biopsies, and in 6 more cases on autopsy. Gastrointestinal involvement was found in all age groups. Gastro-enterologic complications observed in the present series include: diarrhea, malabsorption, ileus and gastrointestinal bleeding. In addition other conditions such as jaundice (3 cases), esophagitis and acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis were observed. In 22 patients proteinuria was observed and in 13 patients the nephrotic syndrome. Among 17 patients, in 11 the clinical picture before death was that of terminal renal failure. The survival after diagnosis among 14 patients reached 4 years in 9 cases, and 19 years in one case. The diagnostic value of the rectal biopsy is emphasized.