Beta 2-microglobulin amyloidosis causing carpal tunnel syndrome, mimic steal syndrome

Abstract

Normal kidneys filter and remove excess small proteins from the blood; thus, keeping blood levels normal. When the kidneys failed, as in patients receiving dialysis, one type of small protein called beta 2-microglobulin builds up in the blood. When this occurs, beta 2-microglobulin molecules may join together, like the links of a chain, forming a few very large molecules from many smaller ones. These large molecules can form deposits and eventually damage the surrounding tissues and cause great discomfort. This condition is called dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA).1