XANTHOMATOSIS IN CRYOGLOBULINAEMIA AND OTHER PARAPROTEINAEMIAS WITH REPORT OF A CASE*

Abstract

SUMMARY.— The occurrence of xanthomatosis in paraproteinaemias is rare but is now reasonably well documented. Thirteen cases from the literature and a case associated with cryoglobulinaemia, which is more fully described, are discussed. Some were hyper‐and others normolipidaemic. Most had generalized plane xanthoma, regarded as a normolipidaemic xanthomatosis. To explain the varied findings, it is postulated that certain paraproteins may interfere with lipoprotein metabolism and also behave as autoantibodies to elicit generalized plane xanthoma. These 2 attributes may coincide in some patients but occur separately in others.