Cytogenetic observations in a case of erythremic myelosis

ONE MARROW FINDINGS IN ERYTHREMIC MYE-B losis (DiGuglielmo's disease) are characterized by striking erythroblastic proliferation, megaloblastoid changes, multi-nucleated cells and bizarre mitotic figures.The presence of such morphologic alterations in cell nuclei suggests the possibility of underlying abnormalities in chromosomal structure and arrangement.This report describes a case of acute erythremic myelosis in which 2 hypodiploid marrow cell lines were found in association with an unusual degree of polyploidy, endoreduplication and chromosomal breakage. CASE REPORTJ. C., a 74-year-old white male, was hospitalized on June 13, 1962 with cellulitis of the right leg and streptococcal septicemia.The patient had been ill for about a month with anorexia and fatigue.His prior medical history was unremarkable except for a background of probable intermittent alcoholism.In addition to swelling, erythema and tenderness of the leg, physical examination showed fever (1 04"F.), pallor, 2-fingerbreadth hepatomegaly and cardiomegaly with atrial fibrillation.There was no splenomegaly or lymphadenopathy.Hematologic studies showed hemoglobin 5.9 Gm./100 ml., hematocrit 17y0, white blood cell count 3,000 per mm.3, platelets 10,000 per 311111.3and reticulocytes 5.801,.