Epiphora as first presenting sign of primary extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma of the lacrimal sac

Exclusive or combined endoscopic approach to tumours of the lower lacrimal pathway: review of the literature

A literature review was conducted to assess the role of minimally-invasive endoscopic treatments for lacrimal pathway neoplasms. The study involved the analysis of 316 patients with benign or malignant tumours affecting the lacrimal drainage system. Histologically, the analysis revealed a prevalence of squamous cell carcinoma, followed by lymphatic neoplasms and melanomas. In terms of treatment, minimally-invasive endoscopic approaches, such as endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy, play a predominant role in managing early-stage tumours, rather than merely obtaining samples for histological analysis. For more extensive tumours, which constitute the majority of cases, more aggressive external approaches are required, along with the use of adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The lack of universally shared staging systems poses a limitation in standardisation and comparison of results. Treatment of these tumours remains complex due to their rarity and histological heterogeneity. A multidisciplinary approach is mandatory to optimise outcomes.

NK/T-cell Lymphoma With Orbital Involvement: A Case Report and Systematic Review of the Literature

PURPOSE

To present the clinical course of a patient with recurrent NK/T-cell lymphoma (NKTL) involving the orbit and to review the literature on patients with NKTL involving the orbit.

METHODS

The PubMed database was searched for all cases of NKTL involving orbital, intraocular, or adnexal ocular structures.

RESULTS

Ninety-six patients were included in the final analysis. The mean age of diagnosis was 48.1 ± 16.8 years. The patients were 53/96 (55.2%) male and 43/96 (44.8%) female. Tumor location varied and included the orbit in 80/96 (83.3%), nasosinus in 56/96 (58.3%), uvea in 11/96 (11.5%), lacrimal gland in 9/96 (9.4%), lacrimal drainage system in 11/96 (11.5%), and conjunctiva in 7/96 (7.3%) cases. Management included surgical debulking in 29/96 (30.2%) cases, radiotherapy in 52/96 (54.2%) cases, and chemotherapy in 82/96 (85.4%) cases. Median survival was 6 months (95% CI: 5-9). Chemotherapy (hazard ratio = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.67-0.95, p = 0.013), radiotherapy (hazard ratio = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.64-0.87, p < 0.001), and orbital involvement being a recurrence of disease (hazard ratio = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.67-0.95, p = 0.009) were associated with improved survival. Advanced Ann Arbor stage (III-IV) at diagnosis (hazard ratio = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.08-1.38, p = 0.001), vision loss (hazard ratio = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.04-1.34, p = 0.009), proptosis (hazard ratio = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01-1.30, p = 0.035) and periorbital swelling (hazard ratio = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.00-1.33, p = 0.048) were associated with poor survival.

CONCLUSIONS

NK/T-cell lymphoma involving the orbit, globe, or ocular adnexa heralds a poor prognosis where early diagnosis and therapy are critical. The use of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is associated with improved survival.

Lymphoma of the Lacrimal Sac: The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Experience With a Comparison to the Previously Reported Literature

PURPOSE

To describe the frequency, clinical features, and histologic subtypes of biopsy proven lacrimal sac lymphomas, and to compare these results to the previously published literature.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed at a single institution from 2004 to 2017. Pathology reports, operative notes, and patients' medical charts were reviewed.

RESULTS

Of 566 lacrimal sacs submitted for routine histopathologic evaluation, 16 cases of lymphoma were identified. All were low-grade, non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphomas, biopsied at an average age of 71 years. Thirteen patients (81.25%) had a pre-existing lymphoma diagnosis; the average interval between the diagnosis of systemic or nonocular adnexal lymphoma and lacrimal sac lymphoma was 7.9 years (range 2-26 years; median 5.5 years). Three cases of primary lacrimal sac lymphoma were identified. Histopathology showed 3 cases (18.75%) of follicular lymphoma, 3 (18.75%) of extranodal marginal zone lymphoma, and 10 (62.5%) of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma. Primary cases presented with epiphora and nasolacrimal duct obstruction, while secondary cases predominantly manifested as dacryocystitis. All lacrimal sac neoplasms were locally responsive (without local recurrence) to chemotherapy, radiation, or both.

CONCLUSIONS

Lacrimal sac lymphoma is uncommon but should be suspected among patients with known lymphoma who develop dacryocystitis. In this series, primary lacrimal sac lymphoma most often presented as a mass or nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma was the most commonly identified cause of secondary lacrimal sac lymphoma. Distinguishing primary from secondary lacrimal sac lymphomas is important, as the extent of disease and histopathologic subtypes differ, which may affect patient management.

Natural killer T-cell lymphoma causing bilateral recurrent recalcitrant dacryocystitis

A 35-year-old female with a history of chronic extensive rhinosinusitis, previously treated twice with functional endoscopic sinus surgery, presented with recurrent dacryocystitis despite prior dacryocystorhinostomy. Histopathological specimens taken at the most recent sinus surgery demonstrated a lymphocytic inflammatory reaction without evidence of angiodestruction or necrosis. Flow cytometry was normal. Over the following 9 months, the patient developed worsening hypertelorism and bilateral recurrent acute dacryocystitis with a fistula tract to the skin. Neuroimaging revealed a hyperintense enhancing soft tissue expansion into the periorbital regions, invading the nasolacrimal canals, and obstructing the paranasal sinuses. A skin biopsy at the fistula site revealed natural killer T-cell lymphoma. Metastatic work-up disclosed lung, spleen, and bone marrow involvement. The patient underwent chemotherapy with mixed clinical response, and ultimately passed away from metastatic disease. The authors present a rare case of natural killer T-cell lymphoma involving the nasolacrimal sac, presenting as recurrent dacryocystitis and diagnosed by skin biopsy of the fistula site.

The predictive value of nasolacrimal sac biopsy in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy

BACKGROUND

During dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), the lacrimal sac wall biopsy is not routinely performed in our hospital, but it is recommended if there is a suspicion of underlying disease other than preoperatively or intraoperatively chronic inflammation.

OBJECTIVE

Most of patients with epiphora have different causes of nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). This study aims to examine how important routine lacrimal sac biopsy is during endoscopic DCR surgery.

PATIENTS & METHODS

The study included 50 patients with chronic unilateral epiphora. All patients underwent endoscopic DCR with NLD biopsy. Histopathologic analysis was performed for each specimen.

RESULTS

The findings of NLD biopsy showed chronic inflammation in 33 cases (66%), chronic dacryocystitis in 9 cases (18%), dacryolith with dacryocystitis in one case, granuloma in 4 cases (8%), rhinoscleroma in 2 cases (4%), and one case had a neoplasm. Histopathologic findings were inflammatory cellular infiltrates in 56%, 30% and 14% in mild, moderate and severe chronic inflammatory state (CIS) score, respectively. Fibrosis in 18%, 20% and 62% in mild, moderate and severe CIS score, respectively. Capillary proliferation in 64%, 32% and 4% in mild, moderate and severe CIS score, respectively. Chronic inflammatory signs in 64%, 32% and 4% in mild, moderate and severe CIS score, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Although neoplasm and granuloma are rare cause of lacrimal sac or duct obstruction requiring DCR, they were detected through nasolacrimal assessment and routine intraoperative lacrimal sac biopsy.

Lymphoproliferative tumors involving the lacrimal drainage system: a major review

PURPOSE

To provide a literature review on lymphoproliferative lesions involving the lacrimal drainage system.

METHODS

The authors performed a pubmed search of all articles published in English on lymphoma/leukemia of lacrimal sac and the nasolacrimal duct. Data analyzed include prevalence, demographics, clinical presentations, treatment outcomes of primary versus secondary lacrimal involvement, and recurrence rates.

RESULTS

Lymphoma/leukemia of lacrimal sac presented at a mean age of 55 years. The majority of the tumors (63%) were primary involvement of lacrimal sac, bilateral involvement being more common in secondary than primary lacrimal sac lymphoma. Epiphora (96%, 98/102), swelling in the lacrimal sac region (75%, 77/102), and acute dacryocystitis (31%) were the most frequent presenting features. Thirty-six percent of the lesions were diagnosed incidentally while performing a dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). Among primary sac lymphomas, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (43%) was the most common sub-type followed by MALToma (24%), unclassified B-cell lymphoma (21%), lymphoid hyperplasia (5%) and 3% each small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) and NK/T cell lymphoma. Management usually involves chemotherapy and/ or radiotherapy with or without surgical resection. Successful outcomes in terms of local disease control could be achieved in all the cases; however, 15% died of the systemic disease after a mean 18 months from the time of sac involvement. Aggressive lymphomas like NK/T-cell have the worst prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Lymphoproliferative involvement of lacrimal sac has a high incidence of acute dacryocystitis with a good response to chemotherapy. Epiphora in patients with leukemia/lymphoma should arouse suspicion of a lacrimal drainage involvement.

Recurrent natural killer/T-cell lymphoma of the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct in a 59-year-old Caucasian woman

A 59-year-old Caucasian woman with past medical history significant for Natural Killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma of the right nasal septum in remission for nine months presented after surveillance PET-CT imaging revealed increased metabolic activity in the right nasolacrimal duct. She also reported ipsilateral epiphora starting around this time. The lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal ductal mucosa were biopsied via an external approach. Pathologic evaluation revealed a proliferation of lymphoid cells with necrotic tissue. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated predominantly CD3+, EBER+, and CD56+ cells indicating recurrent NK/T-cell lymphoma. This case describes an unusual presentation of recurrent NK/T-cell lymphoma involving the lacrimal excretory system in a Caucasian adult. Recurrent malignancy should be considered in the differential of any patient with a history of a lymphoproliferative disorder near the lacrimal drainage system who presents with new onset epiphora.

Dacryocystitis Caused by Lymphoproliferative Infiltration in the Course of Lymphocytic Lymphoma: Case Report

Background: Lacrimal drainage system lymphomas are rare, accounting for less than 10% of lacrimal sac tumors. They often appear as a secondary involvement within the confines of systemic lymphoproliferative disorders, therefore detailed ophthalmological examination and auxiliary testing is necessary to have an accurate diagnosis.

Case report: We present the case of a 72-year-old woman with a medical history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma. She presented to the ophthalmology clinic with a painful, discharging swelling in the right lacrimal sac area. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass in the right nasolacrimal duct. A right external dacryocystorhinostomy was performed. The histological findings led to a diagnosis of small lymphocytic lymphoma.

Conclusions: Special attention is required in cases of known systemic hematological disorders that associate with nasolacrimal duct obstruction or epiphora. Quick recognition and a full history with multidisciplinary clinical and diagnostic workup are fundamental to plan the treatment.

Favorable Postoperative Evolution after Late Surgical Repair of Truncus Arteriosus Type 1: A Case Report

Truncus arteriosus communis (TA) is a rare cyanotic congenital heart defect, in which the aorta and the pulmonary artery have not been separated during the normal development of the fetal heart, so a single truncal artery is arising from the base of the heart. Most patients with TA present within the first weeks of life with heart failure. This anomaly is an important cause of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Corrective surgery is indicated in the first 3 months of life, to avoid the development of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. We report the case of a 12-month-old male infant diagnosed by echocardiography with truncus arteriosus type 1 in whom, based on hemodynamic data, surgical treatment could be performed at the age of 1 year.

Lacrimal sac lymphoma: A series of Japanese patients

PURPOSE

To present cases of primary lacrimal sac lymphoma in a Japanese population.

METHODS

In this retrospective case series, five cases (two males and three females; mean age: 49.8 years; age range: 38-62 years) were included. Clinical features, diagnostic findings, and treatment outcomes were collected and reviewed.

RESULTS

Most patients presented with a swelling or mass in the medial canthal area. Only one patient presented with epiphora, while another patient also complained of pain which was due to inflammation. Imaging studies revealed a lacrimal sac mass with involvement of the nasolacrimal duct and variable involvement of the nasal cavity. Histopathological findings revealed three cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, one case of extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, and one case of follicular lymphoma. Four cases were treated with a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, with one case necessitating additional radiotherapy. One case was treated with immunotherapy alone. The mean follow-up was 23 (range: 3-50) months. Four cases showed complete remission, while the remaining patient is still ongoing treatment.

CONCLUSION

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common type of lacrimal sac lymphoma in this series. Lacrimal sac tumors should be ruled out in the presence of epiphora, dacryocystitis, or a mass in the medial canthus, even in the absence of pain or bleeding. Combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy is an effective treatment for these cases.