CNS lymphoma masquerading as hemorrhagic stroke

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) mimicking a falx meningioma with increasingly massive intracerebral hemorrhage

When using imaging to diagnose brain tumors, it is important to determine whether the tumor is intra- or extra-parenchymal. An 80-year-old man was found on magnetic resonance imaging to have an enhanced mass that appeared to be in the falx and a massive hematoma in the left frontal lobe; the provisional diagnosis was falx meningioma. However, the tumor and hematoma were found intraoperatively to be completely intraparenchymal. Additionally, the falx was intact and not adherent to brain tissue. Malignant lymphoma was diagnosed histologically on the basis of abnormal proliferation of atypical CD20-positive lymphocytes. Cerebral hemorrhage is an extremely rare presentation of primary central nervous system lymphoma. To the best of our knowledge, only 7 cases have been reported. All the reported cases had enhancement in the hematoma; however, in our case, there was definite enhancement outside the hematoma, making the correct diagnosis of lymphoma difficult.

Primary central nervous system lymphomas with massive intratumoral hemorrhage: Clinical, radiological, pathological, and molecular features of six cases

Primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSLs) rarely exhibit intratumoral hemorrhage. The differential diagnosis of hemorrhagic neoplasms of the central nervous system (CNS) currently includes metastatic carcinomas, melanomas, choriocarcinomas, oligodendrogliomas, and glioblastomas. Here we present the clinical, radiological, pathological, and molecular genetic features of six cases of PCNSL associated with intratumoral hemorrhage. The median age of patients was 75 years, with male predominance. While conventional PCNSLs were associated with low cerebral blood volume (CBV), perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed elevated CBV in three cases, consistent with vascular proliferation. All six cases were diagnosed pathologically as having diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with a non-germinal center B-cell-like (non-GCB) phenotype; marked histiocytic infiltrates and abundant non-neoplastic T-cells were observed in most cases. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and CD105 in the lymphoma cells and the small vessels, respectively, suggested angiogenesis within the neoplasms. Neoplastic cells were immunohistochemically negative for programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), while immune cells in the microenvironment were positive for PD-L1. Mutations in the MYD88 gene (MYD88) (L265P) and the CD79B gene (CD79B) were detected in five and one case, respectively. As therapeutic modalities used for PCNSLs differ from those that target conventional hemorrhagic neoplasms, full tissue diagnoses of all hemorrhagic CNS tumors are clearly warranted.

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma of the Central Nervous System Manifesting with Intratumoral Hemorrhage: A Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Cases of primary central nervous system lymphoma manifesting with hemorrhage are very rare, with only a few previous studies available.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 49-year-old man presented with occipital headache and visual disturbance for the past 4 months. Computed tomography showed a high-density area involving the left basal ganglia, with surrounding vasogenic edema. Head T2∗-weighted imaging showed a hypointense signaling area. Edematous changes and a midline shift were observed on fluid attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging. Radiologic features were highly suggestive of intracerebral hemorrhage. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy improved his symptoms transiently and reduced the size of the lesion. Nonetheless, there was recurrence 1 month later. The patient was referred to our institution; a biopsy was performed, and a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was diagnosed. After 3 cycles of high-dose methotrexate and whole-brain radiation therapy, his symptoms improved, and there were no signs of recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a very rare case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma manifested with intratumoral hemorrhage. This case indicates the importance of regular clinical and radiologic follow-up, histopathologic examination, and combined treatment with high-dose methotrexate and whole-brain radiation therapy.

Secondary Central Nerve System Lymphoma With Intratumoral Hemorrhage Suggested as Intravascular Lymphoma by Autopsy: A Case Report

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVL) is a rare type of extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), which often infiltrates the central nervous system (CNS) during the clinical course. Cerebral hemorrhage in patients with CNS lymphoma at presentation is rare. Herein, we describe a case of secondary CNS lymphoma with intratumoral hemorrhage, which was suggested as IVL from autopsy findings. A 76-year-old Japanese man with a history of treatment for B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma was transferred to our hospital in an ambulance for generalized convulsions. Brain CT scan revealed a high-density tumor with edema and intratumoral hemorrhage in the left temporal lobes. He died in a rapid course, and autopsy revealed a focal hemorrhage with diffuse infiltration of lymphoma cells in the left temporal lobe and findings suggestive of IVL. Furthermore, the autopsy revealed a discrepancy in the CD20 immunostaining of lymphoma cells between the brain and other organs. Clinicians should not eliminate CNS lymphoma from the differential diagnosis of intracranial tumor with hemorrhage. Although many patients with IVL have rapidly progressive courses, it is very important to diagnose IVL at the initial onset, even in serious situations, to consider CNS prophylaxis.

Stroke Mimics and Acute Stroke Evaluation: Clinical Differentiation and Complications after Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator

BACKGROUND

Intravenous tissue-plasminogen activator remains the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for acute ischemic stroke. Timely administration of fibrinolysis is balanced with the need for accurate diagnosis. Stroke mimics represent a heterogeneous group of patients presenting with acute-onset focal neurological deficits. If these patients arrive within the extended time window for acute stroke treatment, these stroke mimics may erroneously receive fibrinolytics.

OBJECTIVE

This review explores the literature and presents strategies for differentiating stroke mimics.

DISCUSSION

Clinical outcome in stroke mimics receiving fibrinolytics is overwhelmingly better than their stroke counterparts. However, the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage remains a real but rare possibility. Certain presenting complaints and epidemiological risk factors may help differentiate strokes from stroke mimics; however, detection of stroke often depends on presence of posterior vs. anterior circulation strokes. Availability of imaging modalities also assists in diagnosing stroke mimics, with magnetic resonance imaging offering the most sensitivity and specificity.

CONCLUSION

Stroke mimics remain a heterogeneous entity that is difficult to identify. All studies in the literature report that stroke mimics treated with intravenous fibrinolysis have better clinical outcome than their stroke counterparts. Although symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage remains a real threat, literature searches have identified only two cases of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in stroke mimics treated with fibrinolytics.

Epidemiological trends of histopathologically WHO classified CNS tumors in developing countries: systematic review

BACKGROUND

Many developing countries are lagging behind in reporting epidemiological data for individual central nervous system (CNS) tumors. This paper aimed to elicit patterns for the epidemiology of individual World Health Organization (WHO) classified CNS tumors in countries registered by WHO as "developing".

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cyber search was carried out through 66 cancer networks/registries and 181 PubMed published papers that reported counts of CNS tumors for the period of 2009-2012. The relationship between the natural log of incidence Age Standardized Rate (ASR) reported by Globocan and Latitude/ Longitude was investigated.

RESULTS

Registries for 21 countries displayed information related to CNS tumors. In contrast tends for classified CNS tumor cases were identified for 38 countries via 181 PubMed publications. Extracted data showed a majority of unclassified reported cases [PubMed (38 countries, 45.7%), registries (21 countries, 96.1%)]. For classified tumors, astrocytic tumors were the most frequently reported type [PubMed (38 countries, 1,245 cases, 15.7%), registries (21 countries, 627 cases, 1.99%]. A significant linear regression relationship emerged between latitudes and reported cases of CNS tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Previously unreported trends of frequencies for individually classified CNS tumors were elucidated and a possible link of CNS tumors occurrence with geographical location emerged.