HODGKIN'S DISEASE OF THE HEART AND PERICARDIUM

Abstract

Murchison¹was the first to describe involvement of the heart in Hodgkin's disease. The condition is rare, as indicated by recent reviews of the literature.² This communication reports a case of Hodgkin's disease in which the appearance of symptoms of myocardial insufficiency led to a clinical diagnosis of cardiac involvement. The administration of high voltage roentgen therapy seemed to cause temporary improvement. <h3>REPORT OF CASE</h3> B. U., a white woman aged 27, entered the Cleveland City Hospital on Dec. 21, 1929. She had had enlarged cervical lymph nodes for one month. A biopsy revealed Hodgkin's disease. During the following years high voltage roentgen therapy was administered periodically to the neck, axillas, groins and trunk for involvement of the lymph nodes in these regions. In 1935 she was in good enough health to have an operation for appendicitis and three months later one for chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis. In