The informative value of oral mucosal biopsy for the diagnosis of systemic amyloidosis

: One hundred and thirteen oral mucosal biopsy specimens were analyzed in patients suspected of having systemic amyloidosis. Histological, immunohistochemical, and genetic studies and polarized light microscopy revealed oral amyloid deposits in 72.6% of cases, including 63.5% with metabolic syndrome and 36.5% with another etiology of chronic heart failure (coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy). Systemic amyloidosis was found in 13.4% of cases (hereditary transthyretin, AL, and senile forms in 1.8, 10.5, and 1.1% cases, respectively). An anterior abdominal wall skin flap was a valid location to reveal the systemic forms of amyloidosis. Patients with metabolic syndrome and periodontal diseases may have local oral amyloidosis.