The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Vol 79, 860-863, Copyright © 1980 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery and The Western Thoracic Surgical Association
Mediastinal lymph node hyperplasia, hypergammaglobulinemia, and anemia
HC Maier and SC Sommers
An adolescent girl with retarded development, delayed puberty, and
hypergammaglobulinemia had anemia unresponsive to iron therapy that was
cured when a mass of mediastinal giant lymph node hyperplasia was removed
surgically. Rapid growth and development of secondary sexual
characteristics occurred after operation. Follow-up studies made 20 years
after operation showed compensated increased erythrocyte hemolysis and
increased serum IgM. When mediastinal giant lymph node hyperplasia with
abundant plasma cells is seen in childhood, there may be refractory anemia
and immune disturbances. Similar giant lymph node hyperplasia without
plasma cells may be found in an asymptomatic child or adult. The pertinent
features of the few symptomatic cases reported are reviewed.