[Pulmonary problems associated with lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (Waldenström's macroglobulinemia)]

A 62-year-old man, known for some years due to lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, was admitted with progressive dyspnoea. Multiple lung infiltrates were found upon X-ray examination. Because of the suspicion of an infection, a bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage was performed. No infectious cause could be established. Upon cytological examination, a highly increased level of kappa-positive B-lymphoid cells was found, as is seen in cases of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia). Following chemotherapy, the dyspnoea lessened and the pulmonary infiltrates disappeared. In patients with a lymphoproliferative disorder, pulmonary infiltrates due to infection are found relatively frequently. This case report highlights a rare complication of the disease, namely pulmonary infiltrates caused by infiltration of lymphoplasmacytic cells, emphasising the importance of cytological examination of broncho-alveolar lavage fluid.