An evaluation of sternal aspiration as an aid in diagnosis of the malignant lymphomata.

By TALBERT COOPER, M.D., AND CHARLES H. WATKINS, M.D. T HE DIAGNOSIS of malignant lymphoma can be definitely established only by histologic examination of the tissue involved. In the majority of instances palpably enlarged superficial lymph nodes are present and properly performed biopsy provides the correct diagnosis in a direct and relatively simple manner. However, in a significant number of cases of Hodgkin’s disease, lymphosarcoma 4 and follicular lymphoma the primary site of involvement is thoracic, abdominal or some otherwise inaccessible location for simple biopsy. Symmers’ has stated that in Hodgkin’s disease primary enlargement of abdominal or of abdominal and thoracic nodes combined is ten times more common than pri-