[Conjunctival biopsies in diffuse amyloid (author's transl)].

Amyloid well known as a homogeneous eosinophilic material deposited in various body tissues. Conjunctival biopsies in four patients distributed among the different classical type of diffuse amyloidosis demonstrate the diagnostic value of this simple procedure. In all cases, by optic microscopy amyloid deposits were seen in the subepithelial connective tissue of the conjunctiva. Electron microscopy showed the characteristic fibrillar material of amyloid, with its fiber diameter of 9 to 12 nm in all cases. Since it is a totally harmless procedure, it seems obvious that each time systemic amyloidosis is suspected, conjunctival biopsy must be done first.