Rare but Potentially Fatal Presentations of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma: Leukemic Phase or Hemophagocytic Syndrome in Bone Marrow.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a type of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma commonly presenting as a solid tumor either by nodal or extra-nodal manifestations. Here we describe two atypical presentations of lymphoma, finally resulting in the diagnosis of DLBCL. Case 1: A 53-year-old man with a previous history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma presented with a two-week history of B-symptoms and hyperleukocytosis. Peripheral blood film showed 78% abnormal mononuclear cells. Immunohistochemical stain showing Ki-67 of 90%, negative c-myc, BCL2 and BCL6, and negative c-MYC with fluorescence in-situ hybridization studies on the trephine biopsy, concluded the diagnosis of CD5+ DLBCL of ABC subtype. He received intravenous cyclophosphamide and oral prednisolone for cytoreduction, followed by 6 cycles of chemo-immunotherapy. However, he succumbed due to severe sepsis after the completion of therapy. Case 2: A 56-year-old lady who was initially investigated for pyrexia of unknown origin was noted to have hemophagocytosis upon bone marrow aspirate examination. The bone marrow trephine biopsy revealed some atypical clusters of B-cells positive for CD20 which was inconclusive. PET-CT scan noted an enlarged hypermetabolic spleen without lymphadenopathy. Splenic biopsy with immunohistochemical studies revealed DLBCL of ABC subtype. The diagnosis was consistent with primary splenic DLBCL. She became unwell post splenic biopsy and was admitted to the intensive care unit where she passed away 2 weeks later from Candida and Sternotrophomonas septicemia. These cases highlight the atypical presentations of a common subtype of NHL in our center. Arriving at the definitive diagnosis can be difficult especially when patients are acutely ill, hampering the necessary invasive procedures for diagnosis. The outcomes of both cases are briefly discussed hoping to spread awareness among clinicians on the rare and acutely critical presentations of DLBCL.

Optic Nerve Infiltration in Systemic Metastatic Retinal Lymphoma (SMRL): Multimodal Imaging and Challenges in Diagnosis.

A 45-year-old man was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma stage IV which was confirmed by celiac lymph node biopsy. He subsequently completed six cycles of R-CHOP chemotherapy. Six months later, he presented with panuveitis OU with positive relative afferent pupillary defect OD. OCT revealed hyper-reflective lesions and irregularity of the retinal pigment epithelium OU. Fundus fluorescein angiogram shows hyper-auto fluorescence and granular changes on the retina. A month later, he developed swollen optic disc OD and hemorrhagic retinitis OU and treated as presumed CMV retinitis. Anti-TB was started after a positive Mantoux test. He finally consented for a vitreous biopsy which showed atypical lymphoid cells highly suggestive for vitreoretinal lymphoma and subsequently received intravitreal methotrexate OU.Conclusion: Optic nerve infiltration in systemic metastatic retinal lymphoma may have initial occult signs but with profound visual loss. Ocular infections like CMV retinitis and tuberculosis may mask and delay the diagnosis in immunocompromised patients.

Stroke thrombolysis at 5.5 hours based on computed tomography perfusion.

A young man was admitted with sudden onset of right-sided weakness. He was assessed in the emergency department, and an immediate computed tomography (CT) perfusion study of the brain was arranged, which showed a left middle cerebral artery territory infarct with occlusion of the M1 segment. There was a significant penumbra measuring approximately 50% of the arterial territory. By the time his assessment was completed, it was 5.5 hours from the onset of symptoms. He was nonetheless administered intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) based on the significant penumbra. He was discharged from the hospital after one week with significant residual deficit. At 2 months clinic follow-up, he showed almost complete recovery with a Modified Rankin Score of 1. We hope to demonstrate that a significant penumbra is an important determinant for good neurological recovery and outcome following stroke thrombolysis, even when patients present outside the 4.5 hours onset-to-treatment time window.