[Localized or systemic amyloidosis? Value and limitations of Iodine-123 labelled amyloid P component scintigraphy, role of biopsy of minor salivary glands].

We evaluated the value of serum amyloid P component scintigraphy (123I-SAP) and labial salivary gland biopsy in four patients with apparently localized amyloidosis. One patient had pharyngeal amyloidosis, the second laryngeal amyloidosis, the third retro-ocular amyloidosis and the fourth had carpal tunnel syndrome. Three patients (no 2, no 3, no 4) have abnormal whole body retention of 123I-SAP and positive labial salivary gland biopsy for amyloidosis. Only the first patient had effectively localized amyloidosis and local treatment was sufficient. Melphalan was given to the patients no 2 and no 3, colchicine was given to the patient no 4. Labial salivary gland biopsy and 123I-SAP scintigraphy may give positive argument for the diagnosis of systemic amyloidosis in patients with apparently localized amyloidosis.