Intraepithelial corneal immunoglobulin crystals in IgG-kappa multiple myeloma

Cornea. 1993 Sep;12(5):448-50. doi: 10.1097/00003226-199309000-00012.

Abstract

A 52-year-old man was first examined because of bilateral superficial punctate keratitis. Slit-lamp examination disclosed numerous intraepithelial minute opacities in both corneas. A corneal biopsy revealed intraepithelial rhomboidal or rectangular crystals that immunohistochemically stained only for IgG-kappa. Serum immunoelectrophoresis demonstrated an IgG-kappa monoclonal gammopathy. Over the ensuing 6 years, the clinical appearance of the crystals changed from small dot-like opacities to polychromatic crystals. At this time, bone marrow examination established the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Ophthalmologists should be aware of this entity and carefully monitor these patients; the corneal lesions may be the initial manifestation of an asymptomatic monoclonal gammopathy preceding the development of multiple myeloma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cornea / immunology
  • Cornea / pathology
  • Corneal Diseases / immunology*
  • Corneal Diseases / pathology
  • Corneal Opacity / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunoelectrophoresis
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis*
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / analysis*
  • Keratitis / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma / diagnosis*
  • Paraproteinemias / immunology*
  • Paraproteinemias / pathology

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains