Cranial neuropathy associated with primary amyloidosis.

We report 6 patients for whom cranial neuropathy was a major manifestation of primary amyloidosis. In 3 of the 6, multiple cranial nerves were involved. All had tissue biopsy documentation of amyloidosis. In 2, nerve biopsy also confirmed amyloidosis. All had renal involvement manifested by proteinuria. Primary systemic amyloidosis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of cranial neuropathy, especially when proteinuria is present.