Bullous amyloidosis

 

Bullous amyloidosis (BA) is a rare cutaneous manifestation primarily of systemic amyloidosis, a disease in which abnormal proteinaceous material is formed and deposited in response to inflammatory conditions and plasma cell dyscrasias. Hemorrhagic bullae indicative of BA are usually associated with purpura and may be the initial clinical signs of systemic amyloidosis or monoclonal gammopathies, such as multiple myeloma and Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. Bullous amyloidosis of the oral cavity is highly uncommon and can mimic other vesiculobullous lesions of the oral mucosa. This article highlights an unusual case of oral BA and reviews important aspects of the disease.