Multicentric giant lymph node hyperplasia. A hyperimmune syndrome with a rapidly progressive course

A patient who had diffuse lymph node enlargement, fever, skin rashes, anemia and polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia is described. Histologic examination of lymph nodes taken from different sites (cervical, axillary and inguinal) revealed the presence of giant lymph node hyperplasia. The liver and bone marrow showed a moderate lymphocytic and plasma cell infiltration. The clinical presentation of a multicentric variety of giant lymph node hyperplasia in the reported case is similar to the clinical features usually associated with angio-immunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia, indicating that these two disorders may be related and may affect the same organs and systems. Alternatively, this histologic reactive giant lymph node hyperplasia progressing with a rapid declivitous course can be considered distinctive of a separate entity.