LYMPHOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN MULTIPLE MYELOMA

K Tallroth, K Somer, T Somer

Abstract


The lymphographic appearances of the retroperitoneal
lymph nodes in 10 patients with multiple myeloma
have been analyzed. None of the patients had
any signs of extramedullary involvement of myelomatosis
before lymphography. In 3 cases irregular
filling defects suggestive of myelomatous involvement
were found. In one case they were close to
a myelomatous bone lesion, whereas in the others
the lymphographic abnormality was totally unexpected.
In all 3 patients other nodes showed reactive
hyperplasia. Such nonspecific hyperplasia was
also encountered in 3 other cases. In 2 cases the
myelomatous involvement of lymph node was
detected before the diagnosis was recognized which
is contrary to the belief that multiple myeloma
involve nodes late in the disease. In addition to
diagnostic aid the lymphographic demonstration
of the myelomatous spread into lymph nodes may
influence on the selection of the therapeutic approach
to the disease.


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