Introduction
Amyloidosis is a rare disorder where there is accumulation of pathologic
deposits of amyloids in tissues. The amyloids are protein polymers
formed of identical monomer units. Pathological amyloids are usually
formed from misfolded proteins. The deposition of amyloids occurs either
intracellularly or extracellularly alter the normal function of organs.(1)
Amyloidosis can be classified according to clinicopathological criteria
as follows; i) primary systemic amyloidosis, with completely normal
laboratory and radiological investigations; ii) secondary systemic
amyloidosis caused by chronic disease, such as tuberculosis or
rheumatoid arthritis; iii) Hereditary systemic amyloidosis associated
with multiple myeloma; and iv) localized amyloidosis with no evidence of
systemic amyloidosis or underlying chronic disease.
Head and neck amyloidosis can be either localized or part of systemic
affection; Localized amyloidosis usually affect larynx and
trachea.(2) Tongue involvement is common in systemic
amyloidosis either diffuse as macroglossia or localized. Localized
tongue amyloidosis is extremely rare.(2) This study
presents a rare case of localized amyloidosis at the level of the tongue
base following tongue base ablation surgery in the setting of multilevel
surgery for management of severe obstructive sleep apnea patient.