25263              CHRONIC LYMPHATIC LEUKAEMIA

The patient was a man aged 67 who had chronic lymphatic leukaemia for the last 3½ years of his life, treated by radiotherapy.  A splenectomy was performed 12 months ago.  On the last occasion he was admitted with bruises of the face and lips and with evidence of pneumonia.  Terminally the platelet count was 74000/cu.mm.

The specimen consists of half of each kidney.  Numerous leukaemic deposits are scattered on the outer surface.  These deposits are slightly raised with pale centres and markedly congested margins.  The cut surfaces show no obvious leukaemic infiltration in the substance of the kidneys except in one small cortical area in the centre of one kidney.  There are no haemorrhages beneath the pelvic mucosa.