Renal amyloidosis with nephrotic syndrome in a Spanish subcutaneous heroin abuser.

A 25-year-old drug addict who practices subcutaneous injection of heroin and crushed narcotic tablets, a practice known as 'skin popping', developed nephrotic syndrome secondary to renal amyloidosis. The patient had chronic inflammation of the skin in the form of abscesses and ulcerations. She had practiced subcutaneous drug administration for only 2 years. Amyloidosis had the staining characteristics and tissue distribution of the secondary type, and was directly related to chronic skin suppuration. To our knowledge, this represents the first reported case of renal amyloidosis in a subcutaneous drug abuser residing in Europe.