In addition, the gross facial deformity may lead to social withdrawal. Dermatologic lesions are the next most common head and neck manifestations. The most characteristic are waxy, purpuric lesions located around the upper eyelids in patients with systemic disease. Other skin findings include macular lesions, papular lesions, and a modular or tumefactive form. The laryngotracheal system is the next most common site.
Amyloidosis constitutes approximately one percent of all benign lesions of the larynx.
It usually occurs as nodules or polypoid lesions and can be located anywhere in the larynx or trachea. Systemic involvement is very rare with laryngeal amyloidosis and some authors have proposed that in patients without obvious involvement of other organs, an aggressive workup for systemic disease is probably not warranted. Other sites of involvement include the thyroid, the nose, paranasal sinuses, the nasopharynx, Waldeyer's ring, the major salivary glands, and temporal bone. Accurate diagnosis is often delayed up to a year or more. Diagnosis is usually initiated by clinical suspicion but this must be confirmed by histologic examination of tissue.