[Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy and Hodgkin's disease]

In the lymph node biopsy specimen of a 80 year old male patient with clinical symptoms of malignant lymphoma histologically angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy have been diagnosed (AIBLP). In the second biopsy specimen obtained several weeks later histological picture of Hodgkin's disease (Hd) of the mixed cellularity type was found. In the first biopsy specimen micro-Sternberg -Reed-cells (micro-S-R) were also observed. Presence of the latter in the Lennert's type of lymphoma indicate the transformation of the process into Hd. Micro-S-R-cells present in the early stage of Hodgkin's disease reminiscent of AIBLP provide possibility of a correct diagnosis. Authors assume that micro-S-R-cells, as well as S-R-cells of diagnostic value might be destroyed by cytostatic T-lymphocytes.