[Chronic eosinophilic leukemia with eosinophilic granulomas of the lung (author's transl)]

For the first time a report is given on a case of chronic eosinophilic leukemia with occurence of eosinophilic pulmonary granulomas. Even after enucleation of the granulomas eosinophilia remained in the peripheral blood and in the bone marrow, and over a period of 6 years lay at a value of above 50% of the granulocytes. The illness ended with sudden increase in the number of myeloblasts. The autopsy revealed destruction of the bone marrow by myeloblasts, immature and mature eosinophilic granulocytes as well as infiltration of the heart, liver, spleen and kidneys. On the basis of histological, cytological and histochemical examinations of the granulomas, the peripheral blood and the organs after dissection, particularly of the bone marrow, there was good reason to assume common pathogenesis of these changes; it was not however possible to completely exclude an allergically generated cause.