ELEKTRONENOPTISCHE DARSTELLUNG EINER MAKROGLOBULIN-RETENTION IN PLASMAZELLEN DES MENSCHLICHEN KNOCHENMARKS

Abstract

In a sternal puncture biopsy of a case diagnosed clinically as Waldenstrom''s macroglobulinemia, multiple granular deposits were visible in the extended vacuoles of the plasma-cytes. They were distinguished from the Russell bodies previously known to exist in plasmacytes by their large numbers and their uniformity within the cell. The smallest forms were of the same order of magnitude as the largest macroglobulins proved to exist in this disease. Larger granules were interpreted as condensation products. Release of the granules probably occurs by dissolution of the vacuoles and decomposition of the cell. Very polymorphic nuclear inclusions are often encountered.