R. K. Woodruff

Multiple cranial nerve palsies as the presenting feature of meningeal myelomatosis.

The case of a 69‐year‐old man with IgGK myeloma in whom meningeal myelomatosis with multiple cranial nerve palsies developed, is reported. Review of previously reported cases of clinically apparent meningeal myelomatosis indicates this rare complication frequently presents with cranial nerve palsies; currently available treatment is ineffective.

Subxiphoid partial pericardiectomy with or without sclerosant instillation in the treatment of symptomatic pericardial effusions in patients with malignancy

Twenty‐two patients with malignant pericardial effusions were treated with subxiphoid partial pericardiectomy between 1984 and 1989. Thirteen patients also had a sclerosing agent instilled intrapericardially. Tamponade was relieved by pericardiocentesis before administration of general anesthesia. In 18 patients (82%), the effusions were controlled for longer than 30 days, and two patients died before 30 days without effusion. There were two recurrences at 1.5 and 7 months. There was one death due to hemorrhage from a laceration in a heavily infiltrated pericardium, and one patient had persistent dyspnea after the procedure. Complications included transient atrial arrhythmias (two patients), chest pain after sclerosant instillation (three patients), and fever greater than 37.5°C after sclerosant (five patients). The survival range was 0.1 to 18 months (median, 5 months). Subxiphoid partial pericardiectomy with or without intrapericardial sclerosant is a safe and efficacious treatment for malignant pericardial effusions.

Chronic lymphatic leukemia developing in a patient with multiple myeloma: immunologic demonstration of a clonally distinct second malignancy.

A patient with multiple myeloma who subsequently developed chronic lymphocytic leukemia is reported. Initial studies demonstrated clinical and hematological features of multiple myeloma with an IgM λ paraprotein. Skeletal disease was a significant presenting feature, although relapse occurred in extraosseous sites, particularly the pleura. He developed chronic lymphatic leukemia 31 months later and immunological studies showed the malignant lymphocytes to have k (Kappa) light chain surface immunoglobulin, demonstrating separate clonal origin of this patients two B‐cell malignancies.