Amyloidosis is characterized by the abnormal, extracelular deposition of one of a family of unrelated proteins, amyloid, in different tissues or organs; it is usually associated with tissue or organ disfunction. The cause is not yet known. Amyloidosis can be divided in systemic or localized form. The sistemic form can be divided in: (1) primary; (2) amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma; (3) secondary; (4) heredofamilial amyloidosis. There is a considerable difference in the survival of patients with localized and systemic amyloidosis, and also with or without multiple myeloma. Satisfactory treatment for systemic amyloidosis does not exist. The present study was undertaken in order to report a case of primary sistemic amyloidosis as well as literature review. The amyloidosis diagnosis was achieved by tongue biopsy and its sistemic involvement by fat abdominal aspirate. Even amyloidosis should not be the first diagnostic hypothesis when macroglossia is present, this disease can not be forgotten since clinical attendance is essential to control the associated disorders as renal, cardiac failure and myeloma multiple.
amyloidosis; macroglosia
