Biomaterial Database

Corneal crystalline deposits in multiple myeloma. A case report. 1983

H Høisen, and A Ringvold, and O Kildahl-Andersen

A 70-year-old man with a seronegative rheumatoid arthritis showed some peculiar lamellar crystalline deposits mainly at the Descement/endothelial level in both eyes. Serum protein analysis revealed a monoclonal gammopathy with increased amounts of IgG and K-light chains along with traces of the latter in the urine. Corneal biopsy was not available, but electron microscopy of the conjunctival specimen demonstrated crystalline deposits within the endoplasmic reticulum of plasma cells lying within the connective tissue. This material is supposed to be of protein nature. It seems reasonable that the conjunctival deposits are identical to those seen in the cornea by slit-lamp examination, and it is also suggested that they represents paraprotein aggregates. After treatment with melphalan (Alkeran) and prednisone systemically, the corneal deposits decreased over a period of 9 months with corresponding improvement of the visual acuity.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007074	Immunoglobulin G	The major immunoglobulin isotype class in normal human serum. There are several isotype subclasses of IgG, for example, IgG1, IgG2A, and IgG2B.	Gamma Globulin, 7S,IgG,IgG Antibody,Allerglobuline,IgG(T),IgG1,IgG2,IgG2A,IgG2B,IgG3,IgG4,Immunoglobulin GT,Polyglobin,7S Gamma Globulin,Antibody, IgG,GT, Immunoglobulin
D007145	Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains	One of the types of light chains of the immunoglobulins with a molecular weight of approximately 22 kDa.	Ig kappa Chains,Immunoglobulins, kappa-Chain,kappa-Immunoglobulin Light Chains,Immunoglobulin kappa-Chain,kappa-Chain Immunoglobulins,kappa-Immunoglobulin Light Chain,kappa-Immunoglobulin Subgroup VK-12,kappa-Immunoglobulin Subgroup VK-21,Chains, Ig kappa,Immunoglobulin kappa Chain,Immunoglobulin kappa Chains,Immunoglobulins, kappa Chain,Light Chain, kappa-Immunoglobulin,Light Chains, kappa-Immunoglobulin,kappa Chain Immunoglobulins,kappa Chains, Ig,kappa Immunoglobulin Light Chain,kappa Immunoglobulin Light Chains,kappa Immunoglobulin Subgroup VK 12,kappa Immunoglobulin Subgroup VK 21,kappa-Chain, Immunoglobulin,kappa-Chains, Immunoglobulin
D008297	Male		Males
D009101	Multiple Myeloma	A malignancy of mature PLASMA CELLS engaging in monoclonal immunoglobulin production. It is characterized by hyperglobulinemia, excess Bence-Jones proteins (free monoclonal IMMUNOGLOBULIN LIGHT CHAINS) in the urine, skeletal destruction, bone pain, and fractures. Other features include ANEMIA; HYPERCALCEMIA; and RENAL INSUFFICIENCY.	Myeloma, Plasma-Cell,Kahler Disease,Myeloma, Multiple,Myeloma-Multiple,Myelomatosis,Plasma Cell Myeloma,Cell Myeloma, Plasma,Cell Myelomas, Plasma,Disease, Kahler,Multiple Myelomas,Myeloma Multiple,Myeloma, Plasma Cell,Myeloma-Multiples,Myelomas, Multiple,Myelomas, Plasma Cell,Myelomas, Plasma-Cell,Myelomatoses,Plasma Cell Myelomas,Plasma-Cell Myeloma,Plasma-Cell Myelomas
D003315	Cornea	The transparent anterior portion of the fibrous coat of the eye consisting of five layers: stratified squamous CORNEAL EPITHELIUM; BOWMAN MEMBRANE; CORNEAL STROMA; DESCEMET MEMBRANE; and mesenchymal CORNEAL ENDOTHELIUM. It serves as the first refracting medium of the eye. It is structurally continuous with the SCLERA, avascular, receiving its nourishment by permeation through spaces between the lamellae, and is innervated by the ophthalmic division of the TRIGEMINAL NERVE via the ciliary nerves and those of the surrounding conjunctiva which together form plexuses. (Cline et al., Dictionary of Visual Science, 4th ed)	Corneas
D003459	Crystallins	A heterogeneous family of water-soluble structural proteins found in cells of the vertebrate lens. The presence of these proteins accounts for the transparency of the lens. The family is composed of four major groups, alpha, beta, gamma, and delta, and several minor groups, which are classed on the basis of size, charge, immunological properties, and vertebrate source. Alpha, beta, and delta crystallins occur in avian and reptilian lenses, while alpha, beta, and gamma crystallins occur in all other lenses.	Lens Proteins,Crystallin,Eye Lens Protein,Lens Protein, Eye,Protein, Eye Lens,Proteins, Lens
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368	Aged	A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available.	Elderly
D001172	Arthritis, Rheumatoid	A chronic systemic disease, primarily of the joints, marked by inflammatory changes in the synovial membranes and articular structures, widespread fibrinoid degeneration of the collagen fibers in mesenchymal tissues, and by atrophy and rarefaction of bony structures. Etiology is unknown, but autoimmune mechanisms have been implicated.	Rheumatoid Arthritis