The histopathology of 145 malignant lymphomas of the small intestine in Iraq have been studied and results compared with the clinical and immunological findings. The most common pathology was an intense mucosal lymphoplasmacytic proliferation effacing the villi and crypts partially or completely. This was either 'pure', usually of mature plasma cells limited to the lamina propria or associated with a fullblown lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, almost always of the upper small intestine. The syndrome presented as abdominal pain, chronic diarrhoea, clubbing and, sometimes, the serological demonstration of alpha heavy chains. Other types of lymphomas were associated with 'non-specific' mucosal inflammation or follicular lymphoid hyperplasia. They were either lymphocytic, plasmacytic or lymphoblastic with 'starry sky' histiocytic reaction, representing distinct clinicopathological entities unrelated to 'alpha heavy chain disease'. Hodgkin's disease was extremely rare in this series.

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The clinical and pathological features of two further cases of the condition previously described as Recurring Digital Fibrous Tumour of Childhood are presented. The ultrastructural appearance of the characteristic cell inclusions bears some resemblance to Mallory's hyaline and suggest increased functional activities in the fibroblasts carrying these unusual dense bodies. Retention of abnormal metabolic products in fibroblasts is the most likely explanation. The term Inclusion Body Fibromatosis is proposed for this entity.

An 85-year-old male patient presented with a left-sided nasal obstruction of one year's duration. Histology of the tumour revealed cluster of epitheloid histiocytes scattered among immature lymphoid cells (lymphoblasts). Immunological studies of the tumour revealed a polyclonal (B cell) pattern in only a small proportion of the lymphoid cells. A T-cell origin is proposed. The histiocytes showed intense positivity when stained for muramidase. Wide local excision of the tumour was performed and the patient remains well and free of symptoms five months post-operatively.