Lymphographic demonstration of cyclic changes in lymph node size during Pel-Epstein fever

Pel-Epstein fever cycles, consisting of 1-2 weeks of high fever separated by afebrile periods of the same duration, are classically characteristic of Hodgkin's disease. Clinical observation has determined that the lymph nodes enlarge during periods of fever and reduce in size as the fever subsides. To our knowledge, the waxing and waning of lymph nodes in tempo with the fever cycle in Hodgkin's disease have never before been documented by lymphography. The alterations we verified radiographically resemble cyclic swings in classic autoimmune diseases. Speculations are offered regarding the observed changes.