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The authors describe the haematologic findings in a man aged 61, who for two years has been under observation with a syndrome of thrombocytopenia, regularly alternating with thrombocytosis of a very regular interval of 39 days. This tidal fluctuation of the platelet counts was within the range 10,000–900,000/μl. There was a synchronous fluctuation of the megakaryocyte numbers in the bone marrow, megakaryocytes being virtually absent in periods of thrombocytopenia. The present condition is by this fact distinct from cyclic thrombotytopenia synchronous with the menstrual cycle in women, in which megakaryocytes are usually plentiful. This case it to all appearences the third one described in the literature of a condition which we would like to label ad interim tidal platelet dysgenesis.

Abstract. The accuracy of fine‐needle aspiration biopsy and cytodiagnosis in the detection of intrahepatic malignant tumours is evaluated. In a material of 1 748 biopsies, performed on varying and very wide indications, intrahepatic malignancy was diagnosed in 57 patients. Later, in 39 of these, cancer was histologically proved. There was no false positive cytodiagnosis of cancer. Fine‐needle puncture detected about the same percentage of tumours as did angiography and scintigraphy. The method proved safe, simple and reliable for diagnosing intrahepatic cancer. It can be used either as an independent screening method for the detection of liver tumours, or for cytological analysis of localized foci detected by palpation, angiography, or scintigraphy. It is not invalidated by the hazards reported for conventional punch‐needle biopsy when used in tumour‐suspected cases.

SUMMARY. Liver biopsy was performed in 3 patients who had previously received methotrexate treatment and in 32 patients considered for this treatment. One of the methotrexate treated patients had a granulomatous hepatitis and pronounced steatosis. The other 2 had moderate fatty infiltration. Pathological steatosis was observed in 16 of 32 patients not given methotrexate. Two of these patients had cirrhosis of the liver. Abuse of alcohol and obesity were common among patients with pathological liver findings. Fatty liver may be of special clinical significance in patients receiving hepatotoxic therapy like methotrexate.