[Macroglobulinemia (Waldenström) with specific cutaneous nodules (author's transl)]

The authors present a case of Waldenström's disease in a 68-year-old woman. The only symptoms were several nodes on the leg. The pathological, and immunological finding showed the presence of lymphoplasmocytic cells in the middle dermis; there was a positive reaction with the anti-IgM serum. Ultrastructural studies showed large cells with dilated reticulum and abnormal IgM globulin was found in the serum in large amounts. The rate of the others immunoglobulins was normal. There was a lymphoplasmocytic proliferation in the bone medullar. The specific cutaneous manifestation of the Waldenström's disease are 1) large "plaques" or/and 2) nodes. The pathological studie shows numerous lymphoplasmocytic or immunoblastic cells and sometimes the presence of an amorphous material which is the abnormal globulin.