Primary T-cell CNS lymphoma presenting with leptomeningeal spread and neurolymphomatosis

A Scoping Review of Otologic Manifestations of Hematologic Malignancies

OBJECTIVE

To examine the otologic and neurotologic symptoms, physical examination findings, and imaging features secondary to hematologic malignancies.

METHODS

Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL, were searched for articles including patients with otologic manifestations of leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Data collected included patient and study demographics, specific hematologic malignancy, timing and classification of otologic symptoms, physical examination findings, imaging features and methods of diagnosis. Pooled descriptive analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Two hundred seventy-two articles, of which 255 (93.8%) were case reports and 17 (6.2%) were case series, reporting on 553 patients were identified. Otologic manifestations were reported on 307 patients with leukemia, 204 patients with lymphoma and 42 patients with multiple myeloma. Hearing loss and unilateral facial palsy were the most common presenting symptoms for 111 reported subjects with leukemia (n = 46, 41.4%; n = 43, 38.7%) and 90 with lymphoma (n = 38, 42.2%; n = 39, 43.3%). Hearing loss and otalgia were the most common presenting symptoms for 21 subjects with multiple myeloma (n = 10, 47.6%; n = 6, 28.6%). Hearing loss and unilateral facial palsy were the most common otologic symptoms indicative of relapse in subjects with leukemia (n = 14, 43.8%) and lymphoma (n = 5, 50%).

CONCLUSION

Hearing loss, facial palsy, and otalgia might be the first indication of a new diagnosis or relapse of leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma. Clinicians should have a heightened level of suspicion of malignant etiologies of otologic symptoms in patients with current or medical histories of these malignancies.

CD20-positive subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma presenting as polycranial neuropathy: A CARE-compliant case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma(SPTCL) is a very rare cytotoxic T-cell skin lymphoma involving subcutaneous tissue, and mainly affects young females. T-cell phenotype is characterized by CD3+, CD8+, and CD4-. SPTCT with polycranial neuropathy has rarely been described. SPTCL is believed to show an indolent clinical course unless patients develop haemophagocytic syndrome or sudden respiratory failure. Its treatment has not been established yet.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of intractable SPTCT in a 66-year-old woman with multiple cranial nerve palsies and diabetes. She showed involvement of the bilateral facial nerve, left trigeminal nerve, left auditory nerve, and right oculomotor nerve. The single inconspicuous skin lesion in the trunk presented with an erythematous nodule with a diameter of <5 cm and a slightly pink infiltrated plaque. Electromyography revealed bilateral damage to the facial nerve. Differential immunohistochemical characteristics were observed. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated diffuse CD20 positivity. Cerebral spinal fluid analysis revealed elevated protein levels of 0.92 (0.15-0.45) g/L. Her condition regressed severely over time. She was treated with chemotherapy but died 10 months later, the probable cause of death was lung involvement.

CONCLUSION

The patient's involvement with the central nervous system may be associated with positivity for CD20. Molecular biomarkers may act as therapeutic targets for SPTCL.

Peripheral T-Cell Lymphomas Involving the Central Nervous System: A Report From the Czech Lymphoma Study Group Registry

Introduction

We analyzed the incidence, risk factors of central nervous system (CNS) relapse, and outcome of CNS involvement in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) from the Czech Lymphoma Study Group Registry NiHiL (Clinical Trial gov. NCT03199066).

Materials and Methods

Out of 1,040 patients with PTCL, we identified 29 patients (2.79%) with CNS involvement: 2 patients with primary CNS T cell lymphoma, 11 patients with CNS and systemic disease at diagnosis, and 16 patients (1.54%) at CNS relapse. The most common histology with CNS disease was PTCL, not otherwise specified. Progression-free survival (PFS) was defined as the time interval from diagnosis to progression or death. PFS-2 was defined as the interval from the date of a new relapse until the next relapse.

Results

Patients with testicular involvement received intrathecal prophylaxis with methotrexate. High-dose methotrexate-based treatment was administered in 44.8% of patients with CNS disease. Median follow-up was 71.3 months. The difference between the median PFS of 1,027 patients without initial CNS disease (32.6 months) and 11 patients with initial CNS and systemic disease (4.8 months) was significant (p = 0.04). The difference between the median PFS2 in CNS relapses (10.1 months) and 493 relapses outside of CNS (9.1 months) was not significant (p = 0.6). Risk factors for CNS relapses included the following: involvement of more than one extranodal site (p = 0.008), soft tissue involvement (p = 0.003), testicular involvement (p = 0.046), and the presence of B symptoms (p = 0.035). The difference between the median OS of 1,027 patients without initial CNS disease (46.0 months) and 11 patients with initial CNS and systemic disease (18.2 months) was significant (p = 0.02). The median OS2 in CNS relapses was 11.8 months and that in relapses outside of CNS was 21.3 months. CNS involvement was not associated with a significantly worse OS compared to relapsed/refractory patients without CNS involvement (p = 0.1).

Conclusions

The incidence of CNS disease at the time of diagnosis and at relapse in PTCL is low and usually associated with other systemic involvement. The prognosis of PTCL with initial CNS involvement is significantly worse when compared to patients without CNS disease at diagnosis. The outcome of CNS relapse is comparable with relapsed PTCL outside of CNS. The optimal treatment is not defined yet.

Diagnosis, prevention and treatment of central nervous system involvement in peripheral t-cell lymphomas

Non-Hodgkin lymphomas with T-cell immunophenotype encompass a heterogeneous group of infrequent neoplasms that follow variable clinical courses but prevalently include aggressive behavior and high mortality rates. The involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) is an uncommon event in T-cell lymphomas, with wide variability among the different disease entities. CNS can be affected either at initial diagnosis or at recurrence, and both forms are considered "secondary CNS T-cell lymphoma". Given the low incidence of secondary CNS T-cell lymphoma, related literature is sparse, contradictory, and primarily constituted by small case series and single case reports. However, reported studies uniformly suggest high mortality rates related to this event. Therefore, to improve our ability to identify high-risk patients and offer them successful CNS prophylaxis or timely and effective treatment once the event has occurred may prevent CNS-related T-cell lymphomas deaths. For example, some entities like aggressive adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, and other peripheral T-cell lymphomas with involvement of two or more extranodal organs are prone to CNS dissemination and should be considered for personalized CNS prophylaxis. The level of evidence suggesting an increased risk of CNS recurrence for other T-cell lymphomas and for other risk factors is lower. Published case series show that, following the example of aggressive B-cell lymphomas, patients with T-cell lymphomas and putative increased CNS risk receive different forms of prophylaxis, mostly methotrexate and cytarabine delivered by intrathecal and/or intravenous routes, with varied success. To date, achievements in the treatment of CNS involvement in patients with aggressive B-cell lymphoma were not replicated in secondary CNS T-cell lymphomas, and identification of effective therapies remains an urgent research target. This review is focused on clinical findings, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of patients with T-cell lymphoma experiencing CNS dissemination either at presentation or relapse. It aims to provide logical and, oftentimes, evidence-based answers to the most common questions on the most probable risk factors to CNS involvement in patients with T-cell lymphoma, the indications and strategies to prevent this life-threating event, and the management of patients with CNS disease.

Systemic ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma with bilateral optic neurolymphomatosis resulting in permanent blindness

ALK-positive ALCL can lead to rapid irreversible destruction of the optic pathway. Early treatment should be instituted in patients with CNS involvement or those at increased CNS risk.

Recurrence of nasal type NK/T cell lymphoma presenting as neurolymphomatosis on 18F-FDG PET/CT: A case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION

NK/T cell lymphomas seldom involve the peripheral nervous system. We report a case of recurrent nasal type NK/T cell lymphoma presenting as neurolymphomatosis and its manifestation on F-FDG PET/CT.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 55-year old man presented with a mass in the right nasal cavity was diagnosed with extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma, nasal type. F-FDG PET/CT showed intense FDG uptake within the mass. After radiotherapy the nasal tumor was completely relieved, but the patient experienced numbness and amyosthenia in the right upper extremity one week after completion of radiotherapy.

DIAGNOSIS

PET/CT showed intense FDG uptake in the brachial plexus, axillary, suprascapular and median nerves, suggestive of recurrence of lymphoma presenting as neurolymphomatosis.

INTERVENTIONS

After 1 cycle of chemotherapy, the follow-up PET/CT showed markedly reduced FDG uptake in the previous involved nerves, demonstrating a very good response of neurolymphomatosis to chemotherapy.

OUTCOMES

The patient finally had a progression free survival of 8 months after completion of 4 cycles of chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation.

LESSONS

As neurolymphomatosis is a rare neurologic manifestation in recurrence of NK/T cell lymphoma, recognition of its presentation is important for prompt diagnosis and initiating treatment approach.

Diagnostic delay in a case of T-cell neurolymphomatosis

A 69-year-old woman presented with severe subacute painful meningoradiculoneuritis. Neurophysiology showed a patchy, proximal axonal process with widespread denervation. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was lymphocytic (normal T-cell predominant) with negative cytology. MRI revealed multiple sites of enhancement, but fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography was negative. Bone marrow aspirate and trephine (BMAT) showed no evidence of a lymphoproliferative condition. Right brachial plexus biopsy demonstrated mixed T-cell/B-cell endoneurial inflammation not fulfilling criteria for vasculitis. She was stabilised with high-dose steroids and cyclophosphamide, followed by mycophenolate for inflammatory myeloradiculoneuritis. However, symptoms recurred when prednisolone was weaned. Although T-cell receptor gene analysis from the initial CSF demonstrated clonal rearrangements, it was only when the same clones were identified on two repeat BMATs and CSF that T-cell neurolymphomatosis, an exceedingly rare condition, was diagnosed. This case highlights the diagnostic challenge in peripheral neurolymphomatosis related to patchy disease, variable sensitivity and specificity of investigative tools, and the influence of therapies on traditional cytological definitions of lymphoma. The clinical picture, exhaustive exclusion of alternative causes and the persistence of an abnormal T-cell clone ultimately lead to a diagnostic consensus between specialist neurology and haematology clinicians.

B-cell peripheral neurolymphomatosis: MRI and 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging characteristics

OBJECTIVE

To examine the MRI and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging characteristics of peripheral neurolymphomatosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All institutional cases of neurolymphomatosis with an MRI or ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT from 2000 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Included cases were biopsy-proven neurolymphomatosis or lymphoma patients with clinical and imaging evidence of neurolymphomatosis that resolved after chemotherapy. Multiple imaging parameters and clinical characteristics were recorded.

RESULTS

There were 27 cases of B-cell neurolymphomatosis in 25 patients (18 M, 7 F; mean age 64.6 ± 10.0 years). Of the total cases, 85% (23/27) were biopsy-proven. Most were diagnosed after disease progression or recurrence (20/27, 74%), and presented with isolated nerve involvement (18/27, 67%). Bone marrow biopsy (17/19, 89%) and CSF cytology (16/23, 70%) were usually negative. On ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT, neurolymphomatosis presented as a linear or fusiform (23/26, 88%), FDG-avid (average SUVmax: 7.1 ± 4.5, range, 1.5-17.0) mass, and on MRI as a T2-weighted hyperintense (21/22, 95%), enhancing (21/22, 95%), linear or fusiform mass (19/22, 86%), with associated muscle denervation (14/22, 64%). FDG avidity was significantly higher in patients with muscular denervation on MRI (mean SUVmax 8.2 ± 4.6 vs. 4.3 ± 2.3, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

B-cell neurolymphomatosis most commonly manifests as T2-weighted hyperintense, enhancing linear or fusiform neural enlargement associated with muscular denervation on MRI, with intense FDG activity on PET/CT. It is most often an isolated site of disease, presenting after progression or recurrence. A familiarity with the imaging appearance of neurolymphomatosis can help refine the differential diagnosis, direct biopsy, and aid in accurate diagnosis.

Primary neurolymphomatosis of the trigeminal nerve

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.

Neurolymphomatosis in non-Hodgkin lymphoma with cranial multineuritis: A case report

RATIONALE

Neurolymphomatosis (NL) is a rare syndrome of lymphoma and leukemic infiltration of cranial or peripheral nerves.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We report a case of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) in a 24-year-old man presented with difficulty in swallowing, hypersalivation, hoarseness, ptosis, facial paralysis, and facial hypoesthesia associated with NL.

DIAGNOSIS

NL was diagnosed based upon cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient was treated with intrathecal methotreaxate (12.5 mg) and cytosine arabinoside (70 mg), systemic high-dose methotrexate therapy, and cranial radiotherapy.

OUTCOME

Due to the deterioration of general condition of the patient, he was admitted to intensive care unit, but died 22 days after the onset of symptoms in spite of aggressive treatment.

LESSONS

In this case, we present a patient with T cell lymphoma and multineuritis of NL diagnosed by MRI and as far as we know, this is the first reported case in which so many cranial nerves (3, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10 th) were involved. Briefly, in a patient with hematologic malignancy and neurological complaints, NL should be considered. Early and effective use of imaging modalities such as positron emission tomography (PET-CT), MRI, and aggressive therapies are important for prolonged survival.

Primary Central Nervous System Anaplastic Large T-cell Lymphoma

INTRODUCTION

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) of T-cell origin is an exceptionally rare, highly malignant intracranial neoplasm. Although such a tumor typically presents with a focal mass lesion.

CASE REPORT

Past medical history of a 26-year-old male patient with a PCNS lymphoma of T-cell origin was not suggestive of intracranial pathology or any disorder of other organs and organic systems. To achieve a gross total tumor resection, surgery was performed via osteoplastic craniotomy using the left frontal transcortical transventricular approach. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses of the tissue removed described tumor as anaplastic large cell lymphoma of T-cells (T-ALCL). Postoperative and neurological recovery was complete, while control imaging of the brain showed no signs of residual tumor at a six-month follow-up. The patient, who did not appear immunocompromized, was referred to a hematologist and an oncologist where corticosteroids, the particular chemotherapeutic protocol and irradiation therapy were applied.

CONCLUSION

Since PCNS lymphoma is a potentially curable brain tumor, we believe that proper selection of the management options, including early radical tumor resection for solitary PCNS lymphoma, may be proposed as a major treatment of such a tumor in selected patients, resulting in a satisfactory outcome.

[A case of neurolymphomatosis that was diagnosed by acoustic nerve biopsy]

A 58-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of recurrent multiple cranial neuropathy (right facial palsy followed by involvement of the left trigeminal, facial, acoustic, pharyngeal, and vagal nerves and the right abducens nerve). Brain MRI showed gadolinium enhancement of the right abducens, bilateral facial/acoustic, and left pharyngeal/vagal nerves, and ¹⁸F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography revealed abnormal FDG uptake in the right facial, acoustic, pharyngeal, and vagal nerves and the left cervical lymph nodes. Blood and biochemical analyses did not show any abnormalities, including in the patient's lactate dehydrogenase and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL2R) levels. A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination showed gradual increases in the patient's cell counts and protein, β2-microglobulin, and sIL2R levels, but no malignant cells were detected. A thorough investigation involving repeated CSF examinations, whole-body computed tomography, bone marrow aspiration, random skin biopsies, and cervical lymph node aspiration biopsy examinations did not result in any definitive conclusions. Steroid therapy was ineffective, and the patient developed deafness in her left ear. Therefore, we performed a biopsy examination of the left acoustic nerve, which resulted in the patient being diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. High-dose MTX following the intrathecal administration of MTX, cytarabine, and prednisolone partially improved her symptoms, but she died after several episodes of clinical recurrence. Acoustic nerve biopsy may help diagnose neurolymphomatosis in carefully selected cases.

Primary CNS T-cell Lymphomas: A Clinical, Morphologic, Immunophenotypic, and Molecular Analysis

Primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphomas are relatively rare with the most common subtype being diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Primary CNS T-cell lymphomas (PCNSTL) account for <5% of CNS lymphomas. We report the clinical, morphologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular characteristics of 18 PCNSTLs. Fifteen cases were classified as peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified, 2 of which were of γδ T-cell derivation and 1 was TCR silent; there was 1 anaplastic large cell lymphoma, ALK-positive and 2 anaplastic large cell lymphoma, ALK-negative. Median age was 58.5 years (range, 21 to 81 y), with an M:F ratio of 11:7. Imaging results showed that 15 patients had supratentorial lesions. Regardless of subtype, necrosis and perivascular cuffing of tumor cells were frequently observed (11/18 cases). CD3 was positive in all cases but 1; 10/17 were CD8-positive, and 5/17 were CD4-positive. Most cases studied had a cytotoxic phenotype with expression of TIA1 (13/15) and granzyme-B (9/13). Polymerase chain reaction analysis of T-cell receptor γ rearrangement confirmed a T-cell clone in 14 cases with adequate DNA quality. Next-generation sequencing showed somatic mutations in 36% of cases studied; 2 had >1 mutation, and none showed overlapping mutations. These included mutations in DNMT3A, KRAS, JAK3, STAT3, STAT5B, GNB1, and TET2 genes, genes implicated previously in other T-cell neoplasms. The outcome was heterogenous; 2 patients are alive without disease, 4 are alive with disease, and 6 died of disease. In conclusion, PCNSTLs are histologically and genomically heterogenous with frequent phenotypic aberrancy and a cytotoxic phenotype in most cases.

Neuropathies associated with lymphoma†

Neuropathy occurs with various manifestations as a consequence of lymphoma, and an understanding of the etiology is necessary for proper treatment. Advances in medical imaging have improved the detection of peripheral nerve involvement in lymphoma, yet tissue diagnosis is often equally important. The neoplastic involvement of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) in lymphoma can occur within the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), inside the dura, or outside of the CSF space, affecting nerve root plexuses and peripheral nerves. The infiltration of either cranial or peripheral nerves in lymphoma is termed neurolymphomatosis (NL). These infiltrations can occur as mononeuropathy, multifocal neuropathy, symmetric neuropathies, or plexopathies. In rare cases, intravascular lymphoma (IL) can affect the PNS and an even rarer condition is the combination of NL and IL. Immune-mediated and paraneoplastic neuropathies are important considerations when treating patients with lymphoma. Demyelinating neuropathies, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, occur more frequently in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma than in Hodgkin's disease. Paraproteinemic neuropathies can be associated with lymphoma and paraneoplastic neuropathies are rare. While the treatment of lymphomas has improved, a knowledge of neurotoxic, radiotherapy, neoplastic, immune-mediated and paraneoplastic effects are important for patient care.

Primary T cell central nervous system lymphoblastic lymphoma in a child: case report and literature review

PURPOSE

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) of T cell origin is rare in pediatric patients. We report a case of T cell PCNSL in a 12-year-old boy and review the literature to highlight the importance of brain biopsy to definitively establish the diagnosis when PCNSL is suspected.

CASE REPORT

A 12-year-old boy presented with worsening left-sided weakness, nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, and diplopia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed right parietal gyral thickening with faint meningeal contrast enhancement. No clear diagnosis was identified after serum testing, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and cerebral angiography. To establish the diagnosis definitively, a right craniotomy and open, frameless stereotactic biopsy were performed, which yielded the diagnosis of lymphoblastic T cell lymphoma.

CONCLUSIONS

PCNSL of T cell origin in children remains poorly studied, with only 18 detailed cases reported over the last three decades, including this case. Establishing a definitive diagnosis of PCNSL is challenging, and a brain biopsy is often required to obtain enough tissue for pathological analysis. Increasing awareness and identification of children diagnosed with T cell PCNSL is needed to better understand the molecular biology of this disease and develop more standardized treatment regimens.

Primary neurolymphomatosis of the lower cranial nerves presenting as Dysphagia and hoarseness: a case report

Primary neurolymphomatosis is an extremely rare tumor. We report the case of a 74-year-old patient presenting with dysphagia and hoarseness. Initial contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the head, neck, and chest did not reveal any lesions. His symptoms improved with short-term administration of prednisone but recurred and deteriorated. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed a tumor along the ninth and tenth cranial nerves across the jugular foramen. Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography indicated this was a primary tumor. Repeated MR imaging after 2 months revealed considerable tumor enlargement. A left suboccipital craniotomy was performed to remove the tumor that infiltrated the ninth and tenth cranial nerves. The histopathologic diagnosis was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Although focal radiation therapy was administered to ensure complete eradication of the tumor, the patient died of aspiration pneumonia with systemic metastasis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of primary neurolymphomatosis in the lower cranial nerves.

Isolated Recurrence of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in Sciatic Nerve

Sciatica is a common clinical presentation with a number of etiological factors. Many of them are innocuous like prolapsed intervertebral disc or peripheral compression in the sciatic nerve. Occasionally the cause could be of a more serious nature like a nerve sheath tumor or more infrequently, lymphomatosis. We describe recurrent lymphoma in a patient who had been in remission presented with sciatica as result of the involvement of the nerve with metastatic tumor.

More than a masquerade syndrome: atypical presentations of vitreoretinal lymphomas

PURPOSE

To present a population of patients sharing atypical manifestations of vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL).

METHODS

Institutional case series in a single tertiary center. Patients with cytologically proven VRL, referred between November 2009 and May 2010, were retrospectively reviewed. Diagnosis of VRL was based on cytology of vitreous samples, immunohistochemistry, and molecular biology. Patients with confirmed VRL and clinical features different from the typical manifestations were included. Demographical and clinical characteristics of these patients were studied.

RESULTS

Twelve cases of VRL were diagnosed. Four cases (2M/2F) were considered atypical (A-VRL) in their presentations. Mean age for typical lymphoma (T-VRL) was 71.9 years (range: 62-87 years); mean age for A-VRL was 54 years (range: 50-59 years).

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnosis of VRL is challenging and diagnostic delay is frequent. The authors describe a series of patients sharing common characteristics, such as a younger age (p = 0.05), severe anterior chamber reaction, mild or no vitritis, and possible fulminant evolution.

Primary leptomeningeal lymphoma: International Primary CNS Lymphoma Collaborative Group report

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate clinical presentation, optimal diagnostic evaluation and treatment, and outcome in primary leptomeningeal lymphoma, a rare form of primary CNS lymphoma without parenchymal or systemic involvement.

METHODS

The International Primary CNS Lymphoma Collaborative Group, a multidisciplinary group of physicians with a particular interest in primary CNS lymphoma, retrospectively identified cases of lymphoma isolated to the leptomeninges as diagnosed by CSF cytology, flow cytometry, or biopsy, without systemic or parenchymal brain/spinal cord lymphoma or immunodeficiency.

RESULTS

Forty-eight patients were identified, with median age at diagnosis of 51 years and median Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2. Presenting symptoms were multifocal in 68%. Leptomeningeal enhancement was seen in 74% and CSF profile was abnormal in all cases. CSF cytology detected malignant lymphocytes in 67%. Flow cytometry identified monoclonal population in 80%, as did receptor gene rearrangement studies in 71%. Sixty-two percent had B-cell lymphoma, 19% T-cell, and 19% unclassified. Treatment varied and included fractionated radiotherapy (36%), systemic chemotherapy (78%), and intra-CSF chemotherapy (66%), with 66% receiving ≥ 2 modalities. Seventy-one percent had a favorable clinical response; ultimately, 44% received salvage treatment. Median overall survival was 24 months, with 11 patients still alive at 50 months follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Primary leptomeningeal lymphoma is a rare form of primary CNS lymphoma. Patients usually present with multifocal symptoms, with evidence of leptomeningeal enhancement and diagnostic CSF analysis. Although treatment is highly variable, patients have a better prognosis than previously reported and a subset may be cured.

Malignant meningitis presenting as pseudotumor cerebri

Malignant leptomeningitis can present as the clinical syndrome of pseudotumor cerebri due to infiltration of arachnoid villi in the superior sagittal sinus. We show that malignant pachymeningitis can also present with pseudotumor cerebri, likely due to cerebral venous hypertension from transverse sinus compression. We present 3 cases of pseudotumor cerebri due to pachymeningeal or leptomeningeal metastases and discuss the mechanism of intracranial hypertension in such cases, its diagnosis and treatment.

Pathology of central nervous system posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders: lessons from pediatric autopsies

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) involving the central nervous system (CNS) in children are uncommon and can prove diagnostically challenging. The clinical and imaging characteristics of CNS PTLD can overlap with those of infection, hemorrhage, and primary CNS tumors. Some cases of CNS PTLD remain clinically unsuspected and are diagnosed postmortem. We report 6 instances of CNS PTLD in children, 2 of which were limited to the CNS and were unsuspected before autopsy. In our autopsy series, PTLD was found outside the CNS in 4 out of 6 cases. Since CNS PTLD has a poor prognosis and the presentation can be subtle, unsuspected, and high grade, it is important to maintain a high index of suspicion and to perform imaging and brain biopsy whenever clinically appropriate. In the presence of leptomeningeal involvement, the diagnosis could be made by cerebral spinal fluid examination.

A case of feline neurolymphomatosis: pathological and molecular investigations

Neurolymphomatosis is a very rare form of nervous system infiltration by lymphoma that can affect cranial and peripheral nerves and spinal nerve roots. The clinical appearance can mimic autoimmune or paraneoplastic neuropathies. To date, only 2 cases of neurolymphomatosis have been reported in the veterinary literature (1 dog and 1 cat). A case of neurolymphomatosis in a 5-year-old female Domestic Shorthair cat is reported. Two, whitish, bosselated, non-symmetric masses (1 cm × 1.2 cm × 0.5 cm) that incorporated almost all cranial nerves and semilunar ganglia occupying the basisphenoid depression were histologically composed of a proliferation of monomorphic lymphocytes. These lymphoid cells were positive for CD3 (T-cell lymphoma). Nested polymerase chain reaction detected feline leukemia provirus. Fragment analysis of feline T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements evidenced an oligoclonal pattern with few peaks of similar height. The integration of pathologic with biomolecular findings adds to the information concerning the role of Feline leukemia virus on TCRγ rearrangements in cases of feline lymphoma.

A case of cranial multinevritis: from the onset to the diagnosis of primary neurolymphomatosis

Neurolymphomatosis (NL) is a rare peripheral or cranial neuropathy caused by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Diagnosis is often delayed and prognosis is poor. The authors described a woman in her 70s with a facial left peripheral palsy, complete right abducent palsy, left hypoacusia and balance deficit. Then she presented with low progressive hyposthenia at four limbs and cognitive impairment, sudden facial right peripheral palsy and complete left abducent palsy. The authors performed brain and spinal MRI, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and extensive haematological examinations for infections, autoimmune and neoplastic diseases. All the results were not diagnostic. Only repeating for the third time a spinal tap, CSF presented neoplastic B cells suggestive for large B-NHL. The authors diagnosed primary NL. The patient was treated with R-CHOP but she died 2 months later. In front of rapidly progressive neuropathy, a NL has to be considered performing different examinations, especially and repeating them after a short period.

Primary brain T-cell lymphoma in an HTLV-1 serologically positive male

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a subgroup of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma usually due to B-cells. The incidence of T-cell PCNSL is 1-4% in Western countries. Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV-1) causes tropical spastic paraparesis/myelopathy and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. We describe the extremely rare occurrence of T-cell PCNSL in a 29 year old HTLV-1 carrier. Additional unusual features of the case included the patient's young age and normal cerebrospinal fluid cytological findings, without leptomeningeal spread. Given the long latency between HTLV-1 infection and disease manifestation, more such cases may be diagnosed in the future. We recommend that every patient with T-cell PCNSL be screened for HTLV-1.

Multiple radiculopathy as the presenting manifestation of primary spinal leptomeningeal B cell lymphoma detected by flow cytometry of cerebrospinal fluid

Primary leptomeningeal lymphoma is a rare syndrome characterized by lymphomatous meningeal infiltration without identification of systemic lymphoma or parenchymal central nervous system lymphoma. We report a case of a 62-year-old immunocompetent woman with primary spinal leptomeningeal lymphoma presenting as cervical and lumbar radiculopathy who is rare because of particularly unusual onset site of B cell lymphoma. Interestingly, the diagnosis was possible only by cerebrospinal fluid flow cytometry.

F-18 FDG PET/CT for detection of malignant involvement of peripheral nerves: case series and literature review

PURPOSE

To evaluate the role of positron emission tomography plus computed tomography (PET/CT) scans in detecting malignant involvement of the peripheral nerves (PNs).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed medical records of all PET/CT studies performed at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center between 2003 and 2009, and selected patients in whom F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT findings were suspicious for malignant involvement of the PNs. We identified 26 cases of suspected tumorous involvement of the PNs that was subsequently confirmed by either biopsy or clinical follow-up. We evaluated the value of PET/CT in diagnosing malignant involvement of the PNs.

RESULTS

Of the 26 patients, 12 had lymphoma, 10 had breast cancer, 2 had lung cancer, 1 had colon cancer, and 1 had melanoma. In 21 patients, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed, either for follow-up of the PET/CT finding or to find an explanation for symptoms. MRI confirmed the presence of disease in only 9 patients, was interpreted as normal in 7 patients, and was inconclusive in 5 patients. FDG PET/CT was able to differentiate an active tumor from post-treatment fibrosis and could assess response to therapy with a high degree of confidence.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that FDG PET/CT is helpful in diagnosing malignant involvement of the PNs, especially when findings from anatomic imaging (MRI or CT) are negative. In cases of known treated malignancy involving the PNs, follow-up by PET/CT has the advantage of high sensitivity for local recurrence.

Neurolymphomatosis: an International Primary CNS Lymphoma Collaborative Group report

Neurolymphomatosis (NL) is a rare clinical entity. The International Primary CNS Lymphoma Collaborative Group retrospectively analyzed 50 patients assembled from 12 centers in 5 countries over a 16-year period. NL was related to non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 90% and to acute leukemia in 10%. It occurred as the initial manifestation of malignancy in 26% of cases. The affected neural structures included peripheral nerves (60%), spinal nerve roots (48%), cranial nerves (46%), and plexus (40%) with multiple site involvement in 58%. Imaging studies often suggested the diagnosis with 77% positive magnetic resonance imaging, and 84% (16 of 19) positive computed tomography-positron emission tomography studies. Cerebrospinal fluid cytology was positive in 40%, and nerve biopsy confirmed the diagnosis in 23 of 26 (88%). Treatment in 47 patients included systemic chemotherapy (70%), intra-cerebrospinal fluid chemotherapy (49%), and radiotherapy (34%). Response to treatment was observed in 46%. The median overall survival was 10 months, with 12- and 36-month survival proportions of 46% and 24%, respectively. NL is a challenging diagnosis, but contemporary imaging techniques frequently detect the relevant neural invasion. An aggressive multimodality therapy can prevent neurologic deterioration and is associated with a prolonged survival in a subset of patients.