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 . . .