Primary cutaneous amyloidosis of the auricular concha: case report and review of published work

J Dermatol. 2006 Feb;33(2):128-31. doi: 10.1111/j.1346-8138.2006.00027.x.

Abstract

A 70-year-old Japanese female developed tiny papules on her bilateral ears 2 years previously. A histological study of a biopsy specimen revealed that amorphous materials were present in the widened dermal papillae. Because these materials were positive for both Congo red and Dylon, we diagnosed the lesion as primary cutaneous amyloidosis of the auricular concha. Immunohistochemically, the amyloid substance stained positively with 34betaE12 (cytokeratin 1/5/10/14), suggesting that it had an epidermal origin. Seven reported cases of this unique disorder were also reviewed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amyloidosis / diagnosis
  • Amyloidosis / pathology*
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Ear, External*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Skin Diseases / diagnosis
  • Skin Diseases / pathology*