Education and Imaging. Gastrointesinal: colonic amyloidosis causing submucosal haematoma and bleeding from straining

Systemic AL amyloidosis with multiple submucosal hematomas of the colon: a case report and literature review

Amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis rarely causes colorectal submucosal hematoma. A 76-year-old man presented with a complaint of bloody stool. An initial colonoscopy revealed ulcerative lesions in the descending colon, leading to a diagnosis of ischemic colitis. One month later, he presented with cardiac failure, suspected cardiac amyloidosis, and underwent a second colonoscopy. Although it revealed multiple ulcerative lesions from the ascending to transverse colon, biopsy samples did not confirm amyloid deposition. He underwent a third colonoscopy 3 weeks later due to recurrent bloody stool. It showed multiple submucosal hematomas from the ascending to descending colon concomitant with ulcerative lesions in the descending colon and multiple elevated lesions in the sigmoid colon. Biopsy samples confirmed amyloid deposition. Using a systemic search, multiple myeloma with AL amyloidosis was diagnosed. Colorectal submucosal or intramural hematomas are conditions usually encountered in trauma, antithrombotic use, or coagulation disorders. Based on our review of the literatures, we identified several differences between colorectal intramural hematoma caused by amyloidosis and those caused by other etiologies. We believe that amyloidosis should be considered when relatively small and multiple colorectal hematomas, not restricted to the sigmoid colon, and with concomitant findings of erosions and ulcers, are observed.

Gastric submucosal haematoma caused by an amyloidoma in the setting of multiple myeloma

This is a case of a 67-year-old woman with a history of multiple myeloma with amyloidosis who presented with massive hematemesis. Emergent upper endoscopy revealed a mass on the greater curvature of the stomach, which measured approximately 3 cm in width and 7 cm in length. The patient underwent a wedge resection of the gastric mass without complication. Microscopic examination of the gastric mass revealed amorphous deposits that were congophilic in nature and stained positive with Alcian blue. These findings are consistent with amyloidosis. The patient had a favourable postoperative recovery and was discharged from the hospital. This case highlights the need for clinicians to be aware of the possibility of spontaneous gastric haemorrhage secondary to light chain (AL) amyloidosis, especially in patients with a known bone marrow disorder.