Reed–Sternberg-Cell Leukemia and Lactic Acidosis

Abstract

Reed–Sternberg cells are the sine qua non for the diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease. Although these giant cells were pointed out by Langhans1 in 1872 and again by Greenfield2 in 1878, Sternberg3 first described them in detail in 1898 but mistakenly attributed them to tuberculosis. In 1902 Reed4 accurately emphasized their diagnostic significance. Therefore, the term "Reed–Sternberg cell" appears to be an appropriate designation. On occasion the cells are detectable in bone-marrow aspirates from patients with Hodgkin's disease; however, they are rarely found in the peripheral blood. This report deals with an unusual patient with Hodgkin's disease in whom a leukemic . . .