Joint Symptoms in Myelomatosis and Similar Conditions

Abstract

The findings in 46 cases of myelomatosis seen at Hammersmith Hospital and the Canadian Red Cross Memorial Hospital, Taplow, during the 10-year period from January, 1950, to January, 1960, are reviewed, and the incidence and nature of joint involvement occurring in association with this disease have been studied. Two cases of possible occult myeloma with joint symptoms, in one of which a biopsy was indistinguishable from rheumatoid arthritis, two cases of rheumatoid arthritis with macroglobulinaemia, and two cases of primary amyloidosis are also reported. The relationship between rheumatoid-like arthritis, plasma-cell infiltration, and amyloidosis is discussed.