How is amyloidosis diagnosed?

Amyloidosis is diagnosed primarily through histological confirmation of amyloid deposits, which can be effectively obtained through a fat pad aspirate. This procedure involves taking a sample of fatty tissue, usually from the abdomen, and examining it under a microscope after staining with specific dyes that reveal amyloid. If amyloid deposits are present in the tissue sample, this indicates the diagnosis of amyloidosis.

While other diagnostic methods can provide valuable information, they are not as definitive. For instance, a biopsy of muscle can sometimes be used but is less commonly performed than a fat pad aspirate. Blood tests for protein levels may show abnormalities associated with amyloidosis but do not confirm the presence of amyloid deposits. Similarly, a CT scan of the abdomen may reveal organ involvement or structural changes due to amyloidosis but cannot provide a definitive diagnosis on its own.

Overall, the fat pad aspirate is a minimally invasive, effective method for confirming the presence of amyloid, making it the preferred diagnostic approach.