Amyloidosis of Waldeyer's ring. A clinical and ultrastructural report.

Amyloidosis of the tonsil is a rare condition and amyloidosis of Waldeyer's ring has not been previously reported. The present study describes a case of amyloidosis of the tonsil, nasopharynx and base of tongue in a 35-year-old patient in otherwise good health and without clinical symptoms. The possibility of systemic amyloidosis was excluded by clinical examination and biopsy of rectal and buccal mucosae. Electron microscopy showed the presence of typical amyloid fibrils. Large masses of the fibrils were closely surrounded by cells which appeared to be phagocytic. The ultrastructure of these cells is described. This case is considered to be a unique type of organlimited amyloidosis of Waldeyer's ring.