Vitreoretinal lymphoma, secondary to non-CNS systemic lymphoma, masquerading as an infectious retinitis

Diffuse preretinal infiltrates in a patient with orbital atypical T-cell lymphoproliferative infiltration masquerading posterior uveitis

Purpose

To report an aggressive and rapidly progressive case of atypical T-cell lymphoproliferative infiltration both with intraocular and orbital involvement and preretinal infiltrates.

Methods

Medical records and imaging of the patient were retrospectively reviewed.

Case presentation

A 25-year-old woman presented first with preretinal infiltrates resembling uveitis and developed orbital and intracranial signs eventually during her evaluation. Clinical presentation worsened gradually. The patient developed bilateral proptosis, pupillary dilation and uvula deviation. Diagnostic orbital incision biopsy revealed T-cell lymphoproliferative disease.

Conclusion

This case gives evidence that intraocular involvement due to T-cell lymphoproliferative disease may present as a masquerade syndrome and should be kept in mind in patients with extraordinary presentation.

A comprehensive overview of diagnosis, imaging and treatment of vitreoretinal lymphoma

Vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) is a rare B-cell intraocular neoplasia characterized by poor long-term prognosis and lack of effective therapies. It mainly involves the vitreous humor, the retina, and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), although anterior segment involvement can occur. VRL is classified as a lymphoma of immune privileged sites, along with testis lymphoma and primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). VRL and PCNSL are strictly connected indeed: 80% of VRL develop PCNSL, while 20% of patients with PCNSL present VRL during natural history of lymphoma. Due to the lack of worldwide consensus about diagnosis, therapy, and follow-up timing, VRL represents one of the most challenging ocular affections.VRL commonly masquerades as a posterior uveitis, and misdiagnosis often occurs because of partial response to topical steroids. Gold standard for diagnosis is cytological analysis of vitreous humor. However, this technique lacks sensitivity and supplemental molecular analyses can improve the diagnostic process. Multimodal imaging allows ophthalmologists to empower their clinical suspicion and a comprehensive examination can highlight typical features of VRL and justify further invasive procedures.There is no consensus about VRL therapy, and none of the therapeutical scheme has demonstrated to prevent cerebral involvement and improve patient's overall survival. Intravitreal injections of chemotherapeutics drugs, ocular radiation therapy and systemic chemotherapy can be considered in the treatment of VRL. Once cerebral involvement occurs, systemic chemotherapy must be included in the treatment as a life-saving therapy. Further multicentric studies are required to find out the best treatment of patients with VRL.

Diagnosis of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma masquerading infectious retinitis by retinal biopsy

PURPOSE

To report a case of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma masquerading as infectious retinitis that was diagnosed via a retinal biopsy.

OBSERVATIONS

A 72-year-old female patient was referred to our ophthalmology clinic for evaluation of retinitis and vasculitis in the right eye (OD). On examination, best-corrected visual acuities (BCVAs) were hand motions OD and 20/20 in the left eye (OS). Fundus examination revealed optic disc edema and diffuse retinal whitening superior to the superotemporal arcade OD. Given the high suspicion of infectious retinitis, the patient was treated with intravitreal foscarnet, systemic acyclovir, and oral prednisone and underwent a comprehensive uveitis workup, which was unremarkable for viral and autoimmune entities. Given the patient's history of diffuse large B cell lymphoma with cutaneous involvement, vitreoretinal lymphoma was suspected, prompting pars plana vitrectomy with a retinal biopsy. Biopsy and immunohistochemistry results were consistent with B-cell lymphoma, and the patient was treated with high-dose methotrexate and rituximab. At 5-month follow-up, BCVAs were hand motions OD and 20/30 OS, and fundus examination demonstrated disc edema with resolution of retinal whitening OD. She responded well to the treatment with regression of vitreoretinal lymphoma on examination and is being monitored closely for lymphoma recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE

Although uncommon, patients with vitreoretinal lymphoma may masquerade as infectious retinitis, and vitreoretinal lymphoma should be suspected when refractory to antiviral therapy and in the setting of a negative workup for viral etiologies. Vitrectomy with retinal biopsy may be considered to aid the diagnosis of vitreoretinal lymphoma although careful consideration of the risks and benefits is warranted.

Vitreoretinal lymphoma presenting as frosted branch angiitis in a patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Purpose

To describe the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of vitreoretinal lymphoma presenting as frosted branch angiitis in a patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Observations

A 57-year-old woman with a history of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and recent DLBCL relapse presented with frosted branch angiitis that raised suspicion for an infectious retinitis but was found to be vitreoretinal lymphoma.

Conclusions and Importance

This case primarily highlights the importance of considering vitreoretinal lymphoma on the differential diagnosis of etiologies of frosted branch angiitis. Despite suspicion for vitreoretinal lymphoma, it is also important to treat empirically for infectious etiologies of retinitis in cases of frosted branch angiitis. In this case where the diagnosis was ultimately vitreoretinal lymphoma, weekly alternating intravitreal injections of methotrexate and rituximab led to improvement in visual acuity and retinal infiltration.

Secondary vitreoretinal lymphoma with spontaneous regression

Purpose

To report a patient with vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) secondary to systemic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, who had two episodes of spontaneous regression.

Observations

An 80-year-old Nicaraguan male with a history of treated systemic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma presented with decreased vision in his right eye over one year. The patient was found to have subretinal lesions and moderate vitreous opacities in his right eye. Cytological analysis of vitreous confirmed B-cell lymphoma. Following his systemic work-up, spontaneous clinical improvement was noted. There were no vitreoretinal or systemic lymphoma recurrences during one year of follow-up until the patient had new onset decreased vision in the left eye. He was presumed to have a recurrence of VRL supported by optical coherence tomography findings. Repeat systemic workup was negative for reoccurrence and the ocular lesions resolved spontaneously over 4 weeks.

Conclusions

Spontaneous regression of intraocular lymphoma can rarely occur. Multimodal imaging has an essential role in diagnosing and monitoring recurrence of this disease.

Diagnostic retinal biopsy in the management of secondary non-CNS vitreoretinal lymphoma masquerading as viral retinitis: a case report

BACKGROUND

Intraocular lymphoma accounts for fewer than 1% of intraocular tumors. When the posterior segment is involved, it can be further classified as vitreoretinal or choroidal lymphoma. Vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) can rarely masquerade as an infectious retinitis making diagnosis and management challenging.

RESULTS

A 73-year-old woman with a history of non-central nervous system (CNS) involving diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was referred for worsening blurry vision-visual acuity of count figures at 2 ft-in her right eye for 8 months. Dilated fundus examination of the right eye was significant for retinal whitening and dot-blot hemorrhages, which was concerning for a viral retinitis and guided initial management. Secondary intraocular lymphoma was also considered. The retinal disease continued to progress despite intravitreal and systemic antiviral therapy, and a diagnostic vitrectomy was inconclusive. A retinal biopsy was then performed, which showed DLBCL, confirming a diagnosis of secondary VRL. Three subsequent treatments with intravitreal methotrexate led to regression of the VRL.

CONCLUSIONS

Our case highlights the utility of a retinal biopsy after an inconclusive diagnostic vitrectomy in a challenging scenario of VRL to establish a diagnosis and initiate successful treatment. A multidisciplinary team of providers was essential for diagnosis, comprehensive workup, medical and surgical management of the patient.

Vitreoretinal lymphoma occurring after systemic chemotherapy for primary conjunctival diffuse large B cell lymphoma: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Ocular adnexal lymphoma and vitreoretinal lymphoma are rare forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. They are regarded as distinct disease entities due to the differences in molecular mechanism, management, and outcome. We present a rare case of conjunctival diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) that developed to vitreoretinal lymphoma after systemic chemotherapy.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 60-year-old man presented with a left salmon-colored conjunctival mass.

DIAGNOSIS

A biopsy was performed, and histopathologic examination showed DLBCL. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for CD20 with increased κ to λ light chain ratio.

INTERVENTIONS

Bone marrow biopsy also revealed DLBCL. Gallium-67 scintigraphy showed abnormal uptake only in the left orbital lesion. Ann Arbor stage was estimated as IV. The patient underwent systemic combination chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

OUTCOMES

Four months after the last course of chemotherapy, primary conjunctival DLBCL relapsed, manifesting vitreous opacity. Diagnostic vitrectomy confirmed a diagnosis of vitreoretinal lymphoma.

LESSONS

Conjunctival DLBCL and vitreoretinal lymphoma are both DLBCL. After systemic chemotherapy for conjunctival DLBCL, the lymphoma may relapse in intraocular sites as secondary vitreoretinal lymphoma.

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.