ABSTRACT
RATIONALE: Primary adrenal lymphoma (PAL) is a very rare and highly aggressive disease. Neurolymphomatosis (NL) is a rare manifestation of lymphoma characterized by the infiltration of lymphoma cells into peripheral nerves, resulting in neurological symptoms. To date, there have been very few reported cases of PAL with NL. By reviewing the entire treatment process of the patient, we aim to enhance recognition of PAL complicated with NL and guide clinicians to pay attention to the diagnosis of such diseases. Early recognition and diagnosis of NL are crucial for appropriate management and treatment decisions. PATIENT CONCERNS: We report a case of PAL in a 64-year-old female whose initial symptoms were pain and weakness in the left leg, which progressively worsened. In the half month before admission, the patient also showed signs of cranial nerve damage, such as diplopia and facial asymmetry. DIAGNOSIS: Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed an occupying lesion in the left adrenal region. Electromyography and somatosensory evoked potential examination of the extremities suggested left lumbar plexus damage and complete damage to the right facial nerve. Adrenal biopsy confirmed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was treated with the R-CHOP scheme (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) combined with lenalidomide. OUTCOME: After 6 rounds of chemotherapy, the symptoms improved slightly. However, the condition progressed, and the patient passed away 1 year later. LESSONS: Due to the nonspecific clinical presentation, patients with neurological damage should be alerted to the possibility of PAL and need to be evaluated thoroughly.
Subject(s)
Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse , Neurolymphomatosis , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Neurolymphomatosis/diagnosis , Neurolymphomatosis/etiology , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Rituximab/therapeutic use , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/diagnosis , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/drug therapy , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology , Vincristine/therapeutic use , Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use , Prednisone/therapeutic use , Doxorubicin/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Pronator syndrome is a median nerve entrapment neuropathy that can be difficult to diagnose due to its variable presentation and objective findings. Neurolymphomatosis is an uncommon disease in which malignant lymphocytes infiltrate central or peripheral nerve endoneurium and is often missed for prolonged periods prior to diagnosis. We present a rare case of pronator syndrome and anterior interosseous nerve palsy due to neurolymphomatosis that was occult on initial MRI in spite of the presence of a median nerve mass discovered intra-operatively during neurolysis. This case demonstrates the value of ultrasound for the examination of peripheral nerve pathology and illustrates its utility as an adjunct to MRI, in part due to the ability to screen a large region.
Subject(s)
Median Neuropathy , Nerve Compression Syndromes , Neurolymphomatosis , Humans , Median Neuropathy/complications , Median Neuropathy/diagnosis , Median Neuropathy/pathology , Median Nerve/pathology , Forearm/innervation , Paralysis/complications , Paralysis/pathology , Nerve Compression Syndromes/surgeryABSTRACT
Compared with those involving the central nervous system, lymphomas involving the peripheral nervous system, namely neurolymphomatosis, are extremely rare. Neurolymphomatosis is classified as primary or secondary; the former is much rarer than the latter. Herein, we present an autopsied case of primary cauda equina lymphoma (PCEL), a type of primary neurolymphomatosis, with a literature review of autopsied cases of PCEL as well as primary neurolymphomatosis other than PCEL (non-PCEL primary neurolymphomatosis). A 70-year-old woman presented with difficulty walking, followed by paraplegia and then bladder and bowel disturbance. On magnetic resonance imaging, the cauda equina was diffusely enlarged and enhanced with gadolinium. The brainstem and cerebellum were also enhanced with gadolinium along their surface. The differential diagnosis of the patient included meningeal tumors (other than lymphomas), lymphomas, or sarcoidosis. The biopsy of the cauda equina was planned for a definite diagnosis, but because the patient deteriorated so rapidly, it was not performed. Eventually, she was affected by cranial nerve palsies. With the definite diagnosis being undetermined, the patient died approximately 1.5 years after the onset of disesase. At autopsy, the cauda equina was replaced by a bulky mass composed of atypical B-lymphoid cells, consistent with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The spinal cord was heavily infiltrated, as were the spinal/cranial nerves and subarachnoid space. There was metastasis in the left adrenal. The patient was finally diagnosed postmortem as PCEL with a DLBCL phenotype. To date, there have been a limited number of autopsied cases of PCEL and non-PCEL primary neurolymphomatosis (nine cases in all, including ours). The diagnosis is, without exception, B-cell lymphoma including DLBCL, and the histology features central nervous system parenchymal infiltration, nerve root involvement, and subarachnoid dissemination (lymphomatous meningitis). Metastases are not uncommon. All clinicians and pathologists should be aware of lymphomas primarily involving the peripheral nervous system.
Subject(s)
Cauda Equina , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse , Neurolymphomatosis , Female , Humans , Aged , Cauda Equina/pathology , Neurolymphomatosis/complications , Neurolymphomatosis/pathology , Gadolinium , AutopsyABSTRACT
Neurolymphomatosis (NL) is a rare clinical disease where neoplastic cells invade the cranial nerves, roots, plexus, or other peripheral nerves in patients with hematologic malignancy mainly Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma(NHL). Primary NL occurs as the first manifestation of a hematologic malignancy. We report a 68-year male who presented to us with low backache and burning paraesthesia in the back of both lower limbs followed by a left foot drop. The clinical and electrophysiological examination was suggestive of bilateral lumbosacral radiculopathy involving L2-S1 roots. Plain MRI of the lumbosacral spine was normal. F18FDG PET CT Scan revealed increased uptake in both L5 and left L3 roots. Contrast-enhanced MRI of the lumbosacral spine showed marked fusiform thickening and enhancement of both L5 and left L3 roots CT-guided Biopsy from left L5 root, lymph node, and bone marrow was suggestive of large B cell lymphoma-germinal center cell type. The diagnosis was neurolymphomatosis secondary to NHL.
Subject(s)
Hematologic Neoplasms , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse , Neurolymphomatosis , Humans , Male , Neurolymphomatosis/diagnostic imaging , Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography , Peripheral Nerves , ParesthesiaABSTRACT
This is a case of acute onset unilateral Bell's Palsy during COVID-19 illness, coinciding with development of progressive leg pain, weakness, and sensation change. The patient was ultimately found to have a large B-cell lymphoma mass invading the sciatic nerve, lumbosacral plexus and the spinal canal with compression of cauda equina consistent with neurolymphomatosis. Although COVID-19 infection has been associated with Bell's palsy, Bell's palsy has also been reported with lymphoid malignancy. We review current literature on the association of Bell's palsy with COVID-19 infection and lymphoid malignancy, as well as review the diagnostic challenges of neurolymphomatosis. Providers should be aware of the possible association of Bell's palsy as harbinger of lymphoid malignancy.
Subject(s)
Bell Palsy , COVID-19 , Lymphoma, B-Cell , Neoplasms , Neurolymphomatosis , Humans , Bell Palsy/complications , Bell Palsy/diagnosis , Neurolymphomatosis/complications , COVID-19/complications , Lymphoma, B-Cell/complications , Lymphoma, B-Cell/diagnostic imaging , Neoplasms/complicationsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Neurolymphomatosis is defined as an infiltration of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) by malignant lymphoma cells. It is a rare entity and diagnosis is complicated especially when PNS involvement is the initial and leading symptom. To improve knowledge of the disorder and shorten the time to diagnosis, we report a series of nine patients without a history of hematologic malignancy, who were diagnosed with neurolymphomatosis after evaluation and workup of peripheral neuropathy. METHODS: The patients were included from the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology at Pitié Salpêtrière and Nancy Hospitals over a period of 15 years. Diagnosis of neurolymphomatosis was confirmed by histopathologic examination for each patient. We characterized their clinical, electrophysiological, biological, imaging, and histopathologic features. RESULTS: The neuropathy was characterized by pain (78%), proximal involvement (44%) or of all four limbs (67%), asymmetrical or with multifocal distribution (78%), abundant fibrillation (78%), a tendency to worsen rapidly, and significant associated weight loss (67%). Neurolymphomatosis was diagnosed principally on nerve biopsy (89%) identifying infiltration of lymphoid cells, atypical cells (78%), a monoclonal population (78%), and supported by fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography, spine or plexus MRI, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and blood lymphocyte immunophenotyping. Six patients had systemic disease and three impairment limited to the PNS. In the latter case, progression could be unpredictable and may be diffuse and explosive, sometimes occurring years after a seemingly indolent course. INTERPRETATION: This study provides better knowledge and understanding of neurolymphomatosis when neuropathy is the initial presentation.
Subject(s)
Hematologic Neoplasms , Neurolymphomatosis , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases , Humans , Neurolymphomatosis/diagnosis , Neurolymphomatosis/pathology , Peripheral Nervous System/pathology , Hematologic Neoplasms/complications , Hematologic Neoplasms/diagnosis , Positron-Emission TomographyABSTRACT
Neurolymphomatosis (NL) is a rare clinical entity characterized by lymphomatous infiltration of the peripheral nervous system. According to recent retrospective data, consolidative high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) may be beneficial for NL. However, few reports to date have discussed optimal conditioning regimens. Herein, we report two cases of NL in patients with relapsed intravascular large B-cell lymphoma who received consolidative thiotepa-containing HDC-ASCT. Case 1: A 56-year-old woman who relapsed 2 months after the first complete remission (CR) and underwent ASCT. Case 2: A 65-year-old woman who relapsed 8 months after the first CR and underwent ASCT. Both patients engrafted. Time to neutrophil engraftment was 10 and 12 days after HDC-ASCT, and CR was sustained for 26 and 18 months, respectively, as of the last follow-up. Although there is little evidence supporting the utility of thiotepa-based HDC-ASCT in patients with NL, the results of this case report suggest that further studies are warranted to determine its efficacy in this setting.
Subject(s)
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation , Neurolymphomatosis , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Aged , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/methods , Thiotepa , Retrospective Studies , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Transplantation, Autologous/methods , Stem Cell Transplantation/methods , Combined Modality TherapyABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: 18 F-FDG PET/CT was performed to evaluate possible recurrent B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma in a 34-year-old man. The images showed multiple foci of increased activity in the nerve root and peripheral nerve. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of neurolymphomatosis. After receiving chemotherapy, PET/CT showed progressive disease. The patient subsequently received the CD-19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. A follow-up PET/CT acquired 30 days after chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy revealed no abnormal FDG activity.
Subject(s)
Lymphoma, B-Cell , Neurolymphomatosis , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen , Male , Humans , Adult , Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography/methods , Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 , Neurolymphomatosis/diagnostic imaging , Neurolymphomatosis/therapy , Neurolymphomatosis/pathology , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Cell- and Tissue-Based TherapySubject(s)
Humans , Male , Adult , Neurolymphomatosis , Lymphocytes , Facial Paralysis , Diagnosis, DifferentialABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Isolated primary neurolymphomatosis is a rare manifestation of lymphoma, which is challenging to diagnose as there is only involvement of the nervous system, and nerve biopsy is not frequently pursued due to the high risk of irreversible complications. CASE REPORT: We present a case of isolated primary neurolymphomatosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma restricted to only the right brachial plexus and right axillary nerve. The clinical course has been indolent for several years. The initial examination, including MRI and the cerebrospinal fluid study, did not yield any evidence of malignancy. Eventually, due to the patient's symptom progression and the follow-up imaging findings, we conducted a partial nerve biopsy of the brachial plexus to confirm the malignancy. His neurological symptoms did not further deteriorate post-biopsy. CONCLUSION: Isolated primary neurolymphomatosis with an indolent course is rare and challenging to diagnose. Serial MRI and fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography reveal clues for tumor involvement. Partial nerve biopsy or targeted fascicular nerve biopsy could be an alternative for achieving a pathologic diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Brachial Plexus , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse , Neurolymphomatosis , Humans , Neurolymphomatosis/diagnostic imaging , Brachial Plexus/diagnostic imaging , Brachial Plexus/pathology , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/diagnostic imaging , Positron-Emission Tomography , BiopsySubject(s)
Immunoconjugates , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse , Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin , Neurolymphomatosis , Humans , Rituximab/therapeutic use , Bendamustine Hydrochloride/therapeutic use , Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/drug therapy , Immunoconjugates/therapeutic use , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/diagnostic imaging , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/drug therapy , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic useABSTRACT
We report a case of a primary malignant lymphoma of the trigeminal nerve that was associated with facial pain. A 65-year-old man was examined at another hospital for unilateral facial pain. Carbamazepine was prescribed, but his symptoms did not improve. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed swelling of the trigeminal nerve and a mass lesion in Meckel's cave. The patient was referred to our hospital at this point. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI and F18-Fluorodeoxyglucose-position emission tomography suggested a likely malignant tumour and a biopsy was performed. Histopathological examination showed diffuse a large B cell lymphoma. The patient was treated with high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) and radiotherapy. Despite responding well to initial treatment, the patient relapsed, with lymphoma observed throughout the body. He died of pneumonia 18 months after the initial diagnosis. Facial pain is a symptom that is commonly managed in general practice. If symptoms do not improve, repeated imaging studies, including contrast MRI, is warranted. This is the first reported case of primary neurolymphomatosis (NL) of the trigeminal nerve associated with facial pain alone. Furthermore, HD-MTX and radiotherapy may be considered for the management of primary NL of a cranial nerve.