Korean J Cytopathol.  2002 Jun;13(1):38-41.

Ureteral Washing Cytology of Localized Ureteral Amyloidosis: A Case Report

• Lee WA
• Kie JH
• Jeen YM
• Lee MK

Abstract

Localized amyloidosis of the ureter is rare and clinically confused with neoplasm. We describe a case of localized amyloidosis of the ureter in which the presence of amyloid was detected in ureteral washing cytology. A 75-year-old female presented with gross hematuria. Abdominal CT and retrograde pyelography revealed hydronephrosis and hydroureter on the left side with abrupt narrowing of the distal ureter. Ureteral washing cytology yielded a hypocellular smear with many irregular clumps of amorphous, extracellar, waxy material. Biopsy sections demonstrated submucosal deposits of eosinophilic amorphous material which gave characteristic apple green birefringence with Congo-red stain under the polarized light. Familarity with the cytologic features of amyloid is helpful for preoperative diagnosis and proper treatment.

Keyword

Amyloidosis; Ureter; Washing cytology

MeSH Terms

Aged
Amyloid
Amyloidosis*
Biopsy
Birefringence
Diagnosis
Eosinophils
Female
Hematuria
Humans
Hydronephrosis
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Ureter*
Urography
Amyloid