Lymphoma of the lumbar nerve root: case report

Lumbosacral Radiculoplexopathy as the Initial Presentation of Lymphoma: A Report of 4 Cases

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the clinical, laboratory, and radiological features of 4 cases of biopsy-proven lymphomatous lumbosacral radiculoplexopathy.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review.

RESULTS

All patients suffered from diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. A mean diagnostic delay of 10 months was encountered. Presenting symptoms in all 4 patients included back pain, radicular leg pain, and leg weakness, similar to spondylotic radiculopathy. Electrodiagnostic study showed axon loss radiculoplexopathy and magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine or pelvis demonstrated nerve or nerve root enhancement. Increased uptake by lumbosacral roots/plexus on fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography aided diagnosis in 3 cases. Cytology was positive in 1 of 10 cerebrospinal fluid samples. Combined chemotherapy and radiation treatment led to clinicoradiological improvement, with residual neurological symptoms in all patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Lymphomatous lumbosacral radiculoplexopathy should be considered in patients with progressive lumbosacral radicular symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging and fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography, but not cerebrospinal fluid, are helpful in achieving early diagnosis. Treatment responses seem favorable.

Isolated neurolymphomatosis of the cauda equina and filum terminale: case report

STUDY DESIGN

Case report.

OBJECTIVE

We report the case of a previously healthy 16-year-old boy who presented with back pain and decreased mobility. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an extensive intradural lesion in the region of the thoracolumbar junction.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Neurolymphomatosis is a rare but well-described entity in which malignant lymphocytes, more commonly of B-cell lineage, infiltrate the peripheral nervous system. Isolated involvement of spinal nerve roots and subsequent clinical presentation directly due to this is unusual, and there have been few such published cases.

METHODS

Retrospective case study with follow-up examination at 6-months and 1-year.

RESULTS

The patient was transferred directly to the operating theater from MRI for urgent decompressive laminectomy. Diagnosis of neurolymphomatosis of the cauda equina and filum terminale by diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was confirmed by histopathology. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. At 6- and 12-month follow-up, the patient's back pain had resolved and lower limb function was improving slowly. MRI revealed no evidence of residual or recurrent disease.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis through high-resolution imaging, as well as the role of emergent neural decompression once a diagnosis of spinal cord compression has been established (regardless of the ultimate cause). It exposes some of the diagnostic pitfalls associated with the imaging of unusual spinal lesions, and it underlines the importance of obtaining an urgent and accurate tissue diagnosis to allow for the instigation of appropriate medical therapy.