Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the only known early clinical manifestation of wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRwt; formerly known as senile systemic amyloidosis) which causes an amyloid cardiomyopathy. At the UK National Amyloidosis Centre 98% of those with proven ATTRwt have evidence of median nerve entrapment on neurophysiological studies and 48% have a history of carpal tunnel decompression as much as 12 years prior to heart failure symptoms. ATTRwt is diagnosed in approximately 150 individuals in the UK each year although post-mortem studies suggest presence of ATTwt amyloid deposits 30% of males over 80 years (yrs)¹. A novel bone tracer, Technetium-3,3-diphosphono-1,2-propanodicarboxylic acid (99m) (Tc-DPD) largely abrogates the need for cardiac biopsy, identifying cardiac ATTR amyloidosis with a sensitivity of 98% and specificity of 70%². Amyloid deposition can be readily identified by Congo red staining of carpal tunnel biopsies taken at routine decompression surgery. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is usually able to determine the amyloid fibril protein (amyloid type). Rheumatologists are ideally placed to request CT biopsy. Developing this underused but diagnostic test is of particular importance in light of emerging therapies for ATTR amyloidosis.

Objectives To determine the utility of CT biopsy as a diagnostic tool in systemic ATTR amyloidosis, and its utility in combination with Tc-DPD scintigraphy in identifying pre-clinical cardiac amyloidosis.

Methods CT biopsies were taken at decompression surgery. Biopsies were stained with Congo red and viewed under cross polarised light. IHC was used to type amyloid deposits using standardised techniques.

Results We analysed 37 CT biopsies, 73% female, median age 65.8 yrs (35–87 yrs). 5 biopsies contained amyloid deposits (13.5%) by Congo red staining. 3 were typed as ATTR amyloid using immunohistochemistry (8%), median age 80.35 yrs. The amyloid type could not be determined by IHC in two cases. No cases of proven ATTR amyloid had a history of heart failure symptoms. Of these, a 74 yr old male attended the NAC for diagnostic work up. He had a normal ECG and Echocardiogram, however, Tc-DPD scintigraphy was able to demonstrate low grade uptake.

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Conclusions Carpal tunnel biopsy can readily identify ATTR amyloid deposition and may identify those at risk of developing cardiac ATTR amyloidosis in the future, permitting earlier intervention with novel therapeutics aimed at preventing accumulation of amyloid. This ongoing study aims to identify the UK prevalence of ATTR amyloid in those with carpal tunnel syndrome and to create a cohort of those who may develop systemic ATTR amyloidosis to further elucidate the disease natural history.

References

1. Senile systemic amyloidosis: clinical features at presentation and outcome. Pinney JH et al., J Am Heart Assoc. 2013 Apr 22;2(2). doi: 10.1161/JAHA.113.000098.

2. Nonbiopsy Diagnosis of Cardiac Transthyretin Amyloidosis. Gillmore JD et al., Circulation. 2016 Jun 14;133(24):2404–12. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.116.021612.

References

Disclosure of Interest None declared