Primary central nervous system lymphoma in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus mimicking high-grade glioma: A case report and review of literature

Progress of radiological‑pathological workflows in the differential diagnosis between primary central nervous system lymphoma and high‑grade glioma (Review)

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and high‑grade glioma (HGG) are distinct entities of the CNS with completely distinct treatments. The treatment of PCNSL is chemotherapy‑based, while surgery is the first choice for HGG. However, the clinical features of the two entities often overlap, and a clear pathological diagnosis is important for subsequent management, especially for the management of PCNSL. Stereotactic biopsy is recognized as one of the minimally invasive alternatives for evaluating the involvement of the CNS. However, in the case of limited tissue materials, the differential diagnosis between the two entities is still difficult. In addition, some patients are too ill to tolerate a needle biopsy. Therefore, combining imaging, histopathology and laboratory examinations is essential in order to make a clear diagnosis as soon as possible. The present study reviews the progress of comparative research on both imaging and laboratory tests based on the pathophysiological changes of the two entities, and proposes an integrative and optimized diagnostic process, with the purpose of building a better understanding for neurologists, hematologists, radiologists and pathologists.

Primary central nervous system lymphoma in a patient with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus receiving mycophenolate mofetil: A case report and literature review

A 41-year-old woman with a 14-month history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presented with headache, aphasia, and agraphia. A laboratory examination revealed mild proteinuria, hypocomplementemia, and elevated anti-double-stranded DNA antibody levels. A cerebrospinal fluid analysis demonstrated elevated protein and interleukin-6 levels. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain identified multiple lesions suggestive of brain edemas and small haemorrhages. She was diagnosed as having neuropsychiatric lupus and lupus nephritis and received remission induction therapy with high-dose corticosteroid and intravenous cyclophosphamide. She achieved a complete remission, and treatment with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was initiated 3 months thereafter for remission maintenance. At 13 months after the exacerbation of SLE, she complained of headache and nausea. A gadolinium-enhanced MRI of the brain revealed a low-signal-intensity tumour with marginal ring enhancement of 50 mm in the left frontal lobe. The tumour was excised, and the histological diagnosis was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with positive Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). MMF was discontinued. Remission induction therapy with rituximab, high-dose methotrexate, procarbazine, and vincristine was administered, and she achieved remission. Previous reports suggest that use of MMF is associated with primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma (PCNSL) in patients with lupus nephritis or other autoimmune diseases or in post-transplant patients. Our observation that PCNSL occurred after CNS involvement of SLE suggests that EBV and CNS inflammation arising from SLE might have contributed to the development of PCNSL.

Diagnosis and treatment of primary central nervous system lymphoma with the primary lesion in the hypothalamus: a case report

BACKGROUND

Primary central nervous system lymphoma is a rare extra-nodal lymphoma of the central nervous system. Primary central nervous system lymphoma lesions usually appear in the vicinity of the ventricle, and there are few reports of primary central nervous system lymphoma with hypothalamic-pituitary lesions.

CASE PRESENTATION

We treated a 56-year-old male with primary central nervous system lymphoma with the primary lesion in the hypothalamus, which was found by magnetic resonance imaging after sudden onset of endocrinological abnormalities. Initially, he was hospitalized to our department for hyponatremia. Endocrinological examination in conjunction with head magnetic resonance imaging and endoscopic biopsy revealed hypothalamic hypopituitarism and tertiary hypoadrenocorticism caused by a rapidly growing, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the hypothalamus. Remission of the tumor was achieved by high-dose methotrexate with whole brain radiotherapy, and some of the hormone responses were normalized.

CONCLUSIONS

While primary central nervous system lymphoma is rare, it is important to note that hypopituitarism can result and that the endocrinological abnormalities can be partially restored by its remission.

Primary central nervous system lymphoma in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus: case-based review

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) sometimes occurs in immune-compromised hosts or patients with autoimmune diseases. Some cohort studies have previously reported an increased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), while some cases of PCNSL in patients with SLE were reported. We present the case of PCNSL which developed in a patient with the active phase of neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE). Furthermore, we reviewed published English articles to confirm the characteristics of PCNSL related to SLE. To our knowledge, this is the first report of PCNSL occurring in NPSLE. Histology demonstrated B-cell lymphoma with a positive Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA. This patient recovered following surgical resection of the lymphoma, whole brain radiation therapy, intravenous infusion of rituximab (RTX), and administration of belimumab after RTX. Given the series of reviews, our report suggests that the persistence of damage in the central nervous system (CNS) and long-term exposure to immunosuppressants may impact oncogenic immune responses within the CNS, leading to PCNSL development.

Multiple Brain Biopsies for Epstein-Barr Virus-Positive Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma with Extensive Necrosis in a Posttransplant Patient

BACKGROUND

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in an immunocompromised patient with organ transplantation demonstrated unusual brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. Recognition of EBV-positive DLBCL by radiologists on MRI may prevent unnecessary neurosurgical resection, and it could be important to obtain viable cells for accurate diagnosis on stereotactic biopsy because of extensive necrosis.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 62-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with left hemiparesis grade III and dysarthria lasting for 3 weeks. She underwent kidney transplantation in 2007 and was taking immunosuppressants and had hypothyroidism. Brain MRI showed a 3.8-cm peripheral enhancing lesion with extensive central necrosis in association with marked perilesional edema. The irregular ringlike enhancing lesion showed diffusion restriction and mildly increased regional cerebral blood volume in the rim portion of the mass. 11C-Methionine positron emission tomography revealed slightly increased uptake in the peripheral lesion. The provisional diagnosis was a high-grade glioma. Stereotactic multiple biopsies were performed for the central necrotic area and peripheral enhancing lesion. The nonenhancing areas showed only necrotic material, without viable cells, and the enhancing portion showed viable cells for an accurate diagnosis in a frozen biopsy specimen. The pathologic diagnosis was EBV-positive DLBCL with extensive necrosis. Positron emission tomography of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, and neck soft tissues ruled out systemic diseases. She underwent whole-brain radiotherapy at a dose of 30.6 Gy. Eight months later, her neurologic symptoms had improved, with a stable brain lesion and improved perilesional edema.

CONCLUSIONS

We report an immunocompromised patient with EBV-positive DLBCL, which showed atypical MRI findings, including extensive necrosis. Multiple biopsies were required for final diagnosis.