[Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia with lymphorproliferative changes in the central nervous system. 4 cases]

An anatomial-clinical description of 4 cases of Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia presenting specifically with meningo-cerebral involvement. The lesions in the central nervous system included lymphocytic infiltrations predominantly in the meso-diencephalic region in two cases, a diffuse meningo-encephalic in the third and a primary malignant cerebral lymphoma in the fourth case. The neurological complications of the disease, the cerebro-spinal fluid findings, theories of pathogenesis and the therapeutic possibilities are reviewed. A particular interest is taken concerning the diagnosis from clinical findings due to specific lesions for which one must reserve the name of "Bing-Nell syndrome". Taking the case of primary cerebral lymphoma, similarities between the pathology of the meningo-cerebral lympho-reticular system and other immunologic disorders have been considered. It is suggested that, through this system, the brain can activily participate in the histopathological manifestations of Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia just as any of the other organs of the body.