Intravascular lymphomatosis presenting as an ascending cauda equina: conus medullaris syndrome: remission after biweekly CHOP therapy

Intravascular lymphoma with hypopituitarism: A case report

BACKGROUND

Intravascular lymphoma (IVL) is a rare subtype of lymphoma involving the growth of lymphoma cells within the vessel lumina without lymphadenopathy. Because of various modes of presentation and its rarity, IVL is often diagnosed postmortem. Herein, we report a case of intravascular B-cell lymphoma with hypopituitarism, an extremely rare complication, that was successfully treated with chemotherapy.

CASE SUMMARY

An 80-year-old Japanese woman presented with a 7-mo history of a tingling sensation in the lower limbs. She also presented with various other symptoms such as pancytopenia, high fever daily, and unconsciousness with hypoglycemia. Although the doctor who previously treated her diagnosed hypoglycemia as being due to hypopituitarism, the cause of the other symptoms remained uncertain despite a 7-mo evaluation period. We performed bone marrow aspiration to evaluate pancytopenia and found that she had hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). On the basis of a random skin biopsy for assessing the cause of HLH, she was diagnosed with intravascular B-cell lymphoma. HLH and hypopituitarism were considered secondary to IVL. All her clinical findings matched the presentations of IVL. She was immediately treated with chemotherapy and achieved complete response. She was relapse free two years after treatment.

CONCLUSION

IVL should be included in the differential diagnosis of hypopituitarism, which although life-threatening, is treatable through prompt diagnosis and appropriate chemotherapy.

Cytogenetic complexity and heterogeneity in intravascular lymphoma

AIMS

To characterise the karyotypic abnormalities and heterogeneities in intravascular lymphoma (IVL).

METHODS

G-banded karyotyping was performed on biopsy specimens from a single-centre IVL cohort comprising intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL, n=12) and NK/T-cell lymphoma (IVNKTCL, n=1).

RESULTS

Five IVLBCL cases and one IVNKTCL case (total 46%) were found to have normal karyotypes, and the cytogenetic abnormalities observed in the other seven IVLBCL cases (54%) were investigated further. These seven karyotypes were uniformly complex with an average of 13 aberrations. The seven cases all had abnormalities involving chromosome 6, with 57% involving structural abnormalities at 6q13, and chromosome 8, with 43% involving abnormalities at 8p11.2. In addition, 71% had aberrations at 19q13. On average, 4.4 chromosomal gains and losses were detected per case. Cytogenetic heterogeneities were observed in six cases (86%) and tetraploidy in three cases (43%). There was no significant difference in progression-free survival (p=0.92) and overall survival (p=0.61) between the IVLBCL cases with complex and normal karyotypes.

CONCLUSION

Approximately half of IVLBCL cases had a highly heterogeneous pattern of karyotypes with different clonal numerical and structural chromosome aberrations.

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma presenting as an isolated cauda equina-conus medullaris syndrome - A case report

Context: Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare form of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The central nervous system, skin and hematopoietic system are the most commonly affected sites. We report a case of IVLBCL presenting as a combined conus medullaris-cauda equina syndrome. Findings: A 55-year-old Caucasian male presented with signs and symptoms of a combined conus medullaris-cauda equina syndrome confirmed by MRI and needle EMG. PET scan revealed a hyperactive focus in the adrenal gland, and biopsy showed evidence of IVLBCL. Therapy with R-CHOP resulted in improvement of weakness. Conclusion: A high index of suspicion and consideration of IVLBCL in the differential for patients with these isolated spinal cord symptoms and CSF findings may help initiate early and suitable therapy which has been proven to be beneficial.

Surgical outcomes in thoracolumbar fractures with pure conus medullaris syndrome

Background

Pure conus medullaris syndrome is defined as a combination of signs and symptoms of bladder/bowel incontinence and impotence without the presence of lower limbs weakness. The purpose of the study is to assess the recovery of voiding, sexual, and sensory function in patients with isolated conus medullaris syndrome after surgical treatments.

Methods

From January 2005 to December 2012, patients with a single level burst fracture with pure conus medullaris syndrome were assessed. Level of injury, use of steroid, surgical time, surgical approach, preoperative radiographic parameters, and types of neurogenic bladder were recorded. Bladder function was evaluated using urodynamic study; sexual function was assessed by self-report questionnaire. The final outcomes were focused on the recovery of voiding, sexual, and sensory function.

Results

Eight patients met the criteria of pure conus medullaris syndrome with thoracolumbar burst fracture. The injury level were all located at L1 vertebra. There were 6 males and 2 females. Four patients had overactive neurogenic bladder, and the other 4 patients had underactive type. At final, five patients regained self-voiding function, and three required intermittent catheterization. Two male patients were sexually active, and four male patients had some sexual dysfunction. Two female patients could have normal sexual intercourse but the frequency decreased. One female patients had prolonged perineum numbness at final follow-up.

Conclusions

Although extremely rare, pure conus medullaris syndrome may occur with L1 burst fracture. Despite surgical treatment, only one half of the patients regained normal bladder and sexual function.

Unusual and Fatal Case of an Undiagnosed Intravascular Large B-cell Lymphoma: The Oncologist's Great Imitator†

Intravascular lymphoma (IVL) is a rare subtype of extranodal lymphomas that is characterized by the selective growth of neoplastic cells within the lumen of small vessels. Authors document the case of an unexpected death caused by an undiagnosed intravascular large B-cell lymphoma with multi-organ involvement, which had initially manifested as an infection and then as an unclarified central nervous system pathology. Histological examination showed a diffuse intravascular large B-cell brain lymphoma with prominent cerebral involvement. The relevance of the case report reveals the importance of an autopsy of an extremely rare and threatening pathology that in most cases is diagnosed only postmortem. As a result, the role of the forensic pathologist becomes particularly important. When specifically performing an in-depth autopsy evaluation with a specific histologic analysis, it is possible to identify the intravascular lymphoma and declare a more accurate cause of death.

Recurrent Cytogenetic Abnormalities in Intravascular Large B-Cell Lymphoma

OBJECTIVES

Data characterizing the cytogenetic landscape of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (ILBCL) are limited. Here, we developed a comprehensive karyotypic data set to identify recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities in ILBCL.

METHODS

Cases of ILBCL with complete cytogenetic analysis were identified from an institutional database and the literature. The combined data were systematically reviewed for the presence of recurrent abnormalities.

RESULTS

Four new cases were identified and combined with 25 karyotypes previously published in the literature. Karyotypes were uniformly complex with a median of 10 aberrations. In total, 72.4% had abnormalities involving chromosome 1, with 31.0% involving rearrangements of 1p13 or 1q21; 58.6% had abnormalities involving chromosome 6, which in almost all cases involved 6q; 34.5% had abnormalities involving chromosome 14, with 27.6% involving rearrangements of 14q32; and 55.2% had abnormalities of chromosome 18, with 37.9% harboring trisomy 18.

CONCLUSIONS

Recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities involving chromosomes 1, 6q, and 18 are present in greater than 50% of ILBCL.

Neuroimaging in Central Nervous System Lymphoma

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare aggressive high-grade type of extranodal lymphoma. PCNSL can have a variable imaging appearance and can mimic other brain disorders such as encephalitis, demyelination, and stroke. In addition to PCNSL, the CNS can be secondarily involved by systemic lymphoma. Computed tomography and conventional MRI are the initial imaging modalities to evaluate these lesions. Recently, however, advanced MRI techniques are more often used in an effort to narrow the differential diagnosis and potentially inform diagnostic and therapeutic decisions.

Lymphomas-Part 2

There are 2 types of central nervous system lymphoma: primary and secondary. Both have variable imaging features making them diagnostic challenges. Furthermore, a patient's immune status significantly alters the imaging findings. Familiarity with typical appearances, variations, and common mimics aids radiologists in appropriately considering lymphoma in the differential diagnosis. Moreover, special types of lymphoma, such as lymphomatosis cerebri, intravascular lymphoma, and lymphomatoid granulomatosis, also are found. This article discusses uncommon types of lymphoma and the differential diagnosis for focal, multifocal, meningeal, and infiltrative lymphomas.

Intravascular Lymphoma Presenting as Telangectasias: Response to Rituximab and Combination Chemotherapy

Background:

Intravascular lymphoma is a rare and aggressive disease with abnormal lymphocytes confined within blood vessels. Cutaneous findings are common in the presentation of this disease.

Objectives:

The objectives of this article are (1) to describe a case of intravascular lymphoma treated with chemotherapy and rituximab and (2) to review the literature with respect to skin findings and outcomes of these patients after chemotherapy.

Patient:

Our patient had an unusual presentation of intravascular lymphoma characterized by tender, slightly indurated plaques composed of dense telangectatic vessels.

Results:

Our patient responded to combination chemotherapy with the addition of a partial course of rituximab (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody).

Conclusion:

Intravascular lymphoma commonly presents with skin findings of tender indurated plaques and nodules. Although a number of clinical variations exist, telangectatic plaques are rarely described. Including our case, 50 patients have been reported after treatment with chemotherapy. Approximately 46% of treated patients exhibit either partial or complete response to chemotherapy. This is die first reported case of intravascular lymphoma treated successfully with the addition of rituximab. Overall, this malignancy remains an unusual and aggressive disease. Recognition of the cutaneous findings and early treatment with chemotherapy may alter the course of this disease. Rituximab may be an important addition to combination chemotherapy in treating intravascular lymphoma.

Antécédents:

Le lymphome intravasculaire est une maladie rare et agressive qui se caractérise par la présence dans les vaisseaux sanguins de lymphocytes anormaux. Les affections cutanées sont fréquentes.

Objectifs:

L'objectif de cette étude est 1) de décrire un cas de lymphome intravasculaire traité par chimiothérapie et rituximab et 2) de passer en revue la littérature médicale afin de recenser les troubles dermatologiques associés à la chimiothérapie.

Méthode:

Le patient présentait un cas inhabituel de lymphome intravasculaire se caractérisant par des plaques de veines télangiectasiques densesm, légèrement endurées et sensibles.

Resultats:

Le patient a réagi à une chimiothérapie en combinaison et au rituximab (anticorps monoclonal anti-CD20).

Conclusion:

Le lymphome intravasculaire s'associe souvent à des manifestations dermiques de plaques et de nodules indurés et sensibles. Bien qu'un nombre de variations cliniques existe, les plaques télangiectasiques sont rarement décrites. En tout, 50 patients, y compris notre cas, ont été signalés à la suite de traitements de chimiothérapie. Environ 46% des patients traités guérissent complètement ou partiellement. Il s'agit du premier cas signalé de traitement réussi du lymphome intravasculaire par ajout de rituximab. Il s'agit d'une maladie inhabituelle et agressive. Le diagnostic d'une affection dermique et la chimiothérapie précoce pourraient altérer le cours de la maladie. Le rituximab serait un important ajout à la chimiothérapie en combinaison dans le traitement du lymphome intravasculaire.

A case of intravascular lymphoma presenting as myelopathy diagnosed with a skin biopsy

Background:

Intravascular lymphoma (IVL) is a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma with exclusively or predominantly intravascular proliferation. Without therapeutic intervention, the neurologic involvement is rapidly progressive and inevitably fatal. Most of the IVL patients have prominent or exclusive manifestations in the nervous system and there are several reports of patients presenting with spinal symptoms.

Case Description:

A 68-year-old male patient admitted with the complaints of progressive paraparesis. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spinal cord showed hyperintense lesions in the thoracic cord. A diagnosis of myelitis of unknown etiology was assumed, and steroid pulse therapy was administered, which temporarily improved the patient's symptoms. However, the paraparesis recurred, and other symptoms, such as vertigo, psychosis, and seizures, developed 1-month after the initial treatment. Multiple high-intensity lesions were detected in the bilateral subcortical white matter on DW MRI. Based on the patient's clinical course, IVL was suspected; however, obtaining histological confirmation was not possible, as no Gd-enhanced brain or spinal lesions were identified and repeated cerebrospinal fluid examinations were negative for tumor cells. Therefore, a random skin biopsy was performed, and IVL was diagnosed. Obtaining a comparatively favorable outcome was possible owing to the subsequent administration of R-CHOP chemotherapy.

Conclusion:

IVL should be included in the differential diagnosis of atypical case of presumed myelitis. An early diagnosis and chemotherapy is crucial for improving the patient's outcome. When obtaining a diagnosis based on tissues other than skin is difficult, a random skin biopsy should be considered in patients with suspected IVL.

Intravascular Lymphoma with Conus Medullaris Syndrome Followed by Encephalopathy

Background:

Intravascular large cell lymphoma (ILCL) is a diagnostic challenge, with neurological, cutaneous and constitutional symptoms. The natural history is usually an evolution to a comatose state. As invasive procedures are usually required for diagnosis, recognizing the typical clinical pattern is critical since an effective treatment is available.

Method:

After an extensive literature review of the subject, we report a case of ILCL, analyzing clinical, laboratory, radiological and pathological data. We will also give a special attention to the clinical picture of a conus medullaris (CM) lesion with subsequent encephalopathy in the same patient.

Results:

We report here a 61-year-old woman with a paraplegia caused by a CM lesion, evolving about one year latter to encephalopathy and eventual coma, with the diagnosis of ILCL confirmed by autopsy. The present case is similar to eight other cases in literature who had CM lesion associated with ILCL, knowing that 80-90% of these patients will eventually evolve to encephalopathy without treatment. Conclusions: ILCL is a recognized but rare cause of coma. Diagnosing it is tremendously important since it is fatal if left untreated. We propose that this specific picture (conus medullaris lesion, eventually evolving to encephalopathy) is quite characteristic and will directly result in better outcome if recognized.

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma confirmed by brain biopsy: a case report

Intravascular lymphoma (IVL) is a rare variant of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma characterised by neoplastic lymphoid cells growing inside the lumina of medium and small vessels. The diversity of clinical presentation owing to the possibility of its occurrence in any organ often makes it a challenging diagnosis. We present an intriguing case of intravascular large B-cell central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma in which the patient presented with a non-specific neurological symptom and had no systemic symptoms or dermatological manifestations. The patient deteriorated rapidly after presentation and succumbed to multi-organ failure within 2 weeks of admission.

Sellar and parasellar intravascular lymphoma mimicking pituitary apoplexy

BACKGROUND

Intravascular lymphoma (IVL) is a rare subtype of large-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, characterized by proliferation of lymphoma cells within the lumina of small vessels. There are no previously reported cases of IVL involving the pituitary gland presenting with neuro-ophthalmic findings.

METHODS

A 68-year-old female presented with headache, right third nerve palsy, and Horner syndrome. MRI showed a 1.4-cm sellar mass consistent with a pituitary macroadenoma. Two weeks later, despite treatment with dexamethasone, the patient developed complete bilateral ophthalmoplegia and ptosis. Repeat MRI showed invasion of the clivus and cavernous sinuses, and a transsphenoidal pituitary biopsy was undertaken.

RESULTS

The preliminary histopathology was consistent with bland pituitary apoplexy, but subsequent examination of an incidentally biopsied nasal polyp revealed endovascular malignant lymphoid cells that, on further scrutiny, were also present in the pituitary tissue. The diagnosis of IVL was confirmed, and the patient had an excellent clinical and radiological response to cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone, and rituximab (CHOP-R) chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

IVL may involve the pituitary gland, causing sellar mass effect, cavernous sinus infiltration, and pituitary ischemia, mimicking pituitary apoplexy with neuro-ophthalmic features. It can be effectively treated with CHOP-R chemotherapy.

Intravascular malignant lymphomatosis diagnosed in both skeletal muscle and nerve biopsies

Intravascular malignant lymphomatosis (IML) is a lymphoma, usually of B-cell phenotype, confined to intravascular spaces. IML is a relatively rare disease that is usually diagnosed at autopsy. We report a biopsy-proven case and review 15 published cases that were diagnosed antemortem by muscle, nerve biopsy, or both.

[Case of intravascular lymphoma with a longitudinal spinal lesion diagnosed by multiple biopsies]

A 45-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with flaccid paraplegia. Neurological examination at a local hospital, 2 months before admission to our hospital, showed sensory impairment of the right posterior surface of the thigh and a decreased Achilles tendon reflex. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a T₂ weighted high-intensity area at the Th10-11 level that was more pronounced in the gray matter. The patient developed flaccid paraparesis and urinary retention. No improvement was observed after 2 rounds of methylprednisolone (mPSL) pulse therapy. Spinal cord biopsy showed demyelinated axons and myelinophagia without any tumorous lesion. Myelopathy exacerbated, and hence, plasma exchange was performed. However, this was ineffective. We suspected that myelopathy was caused by intravascular lymphoma (IVL) because of the presence of a low-grade fever, weight loss, and elevated serum soluble IL-2 receptor titers. Random biopsies, including skin, rectal, bone marrow, muscle, and renal biopsies, and splenectomy were performed to make a definite diagnosis of IVL myelopathy. Among these biopsies, the diagnosis of IVL myelopathy was confirmed from the renal specimen. The patient underwent chemotherapy at our hospital, and the IVL remitted. The results of this study confirm that sufficient systemic investigation by using tissue biopsy specimens should be performed in order to confirm the diagnosis of IVL myelopathy.

Disseminated intravascular large-cell lymphoma with initial presentation mimicking Guillain-Barré syndrome

We report a patient with intravascular large B-cell lymphoma who initially presented with acute ascending weakness and sensory changes. Electrodiagnostic testing and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) studies were initially suggestive of a demyelinating polyneuropathy. Further clinical evaluation and testing were consistent with mononeuropathy multiplex. Autopsy revealed disseminated intravascular large-cell lymphoma. Intravascular large-cell lymphoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a rapidly evolving neuropathy associated with other organ involvement.

Intravascular lymphomatosis and intracerebral haemorrhage

Intravascular lymphomatosis (IVL) is a rare, malignant B- or T-cell lymphoma with remarkable affinity for the endothelial cells of small vessels, particularly within the skin and central nervous system. It is a disease that mimics several neurological disorders, particularly those of cerebrovascular ischemic origin. The prognosis is generally poor, with a rapidly fatal outcome. As a result the diagnosis is often made at post-mortem. We report a rare case of a 73-year-old patient with IVL complicated by intracerebral haemorrhage. In literature two cases of systemic IVL complicated by intracerebral haemorrhage have been reported, but they presented initially with a disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). This is the first case of brain IVL complicated by intracerebral haemorrhage not associated to DIC. Increasing awareness of this disease as a differential diagnosis to a common clinical presentation may lead to more opportunities to evaluate new diagnostic and treatment approaches.

Intravascular large B cell lymphoma with neurological symptoms diagnosed on the basis of a senile angioma-like eruption

Intravascular large B cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) presents various neurological symptoms, and the prognosis frequently deteriorates with a delay in diagnosis. In addition, for the diagnosis of IVLBCL, invasive biopsies are generally performed in main organs, such as the brain. We report a case of IVLBCL in which an early diagnosis was enabled by skin biopsy. The patient in this case had cauda equine syndrome and had developed multiple brain infarctions. She received six cycles of R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone) treatment and is currently in complete remission. At the macroscopic level, her lesions resembled senile angioma, commonly observed in normal elderly persons. Eruptions of this type are not currently recognised as IVLBCL lesions and might easily be overlooked. In cases in which IVLBCL could be suspected, an active search and biopsy of skin lesions, including an eruption of this type, are useful for early diagnosis and treatment.

Usefulness of FDG-PET to diagnose intravascular lymphoma with encephalopathy and renal involvement

Intravascular lymphoma (IVL) is a rare subtype of extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. It is characterized by proliferation of neoplastic Lymphoid cells almost exclusively within the lumina of small blood vessels. It can affect virtually every organ system. Due to its rarity and its diverse and heterogeneous clinical presentation, diagnosis is difficult and often made post-mortem. When diagnosed early, it is, however, potentially treatable. We present a young woman with longstanding constitutional symptoms, positive antinuclear antibody, elevated LDH levels and rapidly progressive encephalopathy. FDG-PET scan showed intense uptake in the renal cortex, which prompted us to perform a kidney biopsy which was compatible with IVL. The value of PET in establishing the diagnosis of this rare disease will be discussed.

Definition, diagnosis, and management of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma: proposals and perspectives from an international consensus meeting

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare form of diffuse LBCL characterized by preferential intravascular growth of malignant lymphocytes, aggressive behavior, and an often fatal course. IVLBCL usually affects elderly patients with poor performance status, elevated lactic dehydrogenase serum levels, anemia, and B symptoms. It displays some differences in clinical presentation among diverse geographical areas, mostly between patients diagnosed in Western countries and Japan. In addition, data from the literature suggest that pathologic diagnostic criteria as well as clinical features of this disease may be broader than described in current classification scheme(s). Under the sponsorship of the International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group, clinicians and pathologists with interest in IVLBCL, coming from Western and Eastern countries, joined to reach a consensus on defining features as well as to focus on the most urgent unresolved issues in IVLBCL. To this end, a representative group of IVLBCL patients coming from both the aforementioned geographical areas were collectively analyzed. Additional features of IVLBCL were proposed both under clinical and pathologic stand points. At the meeting, it emerged that IVLBCL may have additional histopathologic/cytologic definition criteria with respect to those currently recommended, some clinical features are not randomly distributed worldwide, recent therapeutic approaches, such as anti-CD20-containing regimens, may improve outcome, and kidney, spleen, and liver involvement may show peculiar histopathologic features. Finally, a provisional practical diagnostic approach to hemophagocytosis-associated patients and a proposal for the most useful criteria in the settings of differential diagnosis are included.

Peripheral nervous system involvement in patients with cancer

Involvement of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) is common in patients with cancer and any part, including motor neurons, sensory ganglia, nerve roots, plexuses, cranial and peripheral nerves, and neuromuscular junctions, can be affected. Different mechanisms can initiate damage associated with cancer-related PNS disorders. These include tumour infiltration, toxicity of treatments, metabolic and nutritional perturbations, cachexia, virus infections, and paraneoplastic neurological syndromes. The type of cancer, lymphoma, or solid tumour is a further determinant of a PNS disorder. In this Review we discuss the different causes and mechanisms of disorders of the PNS in patients with cancer and we will focus on their assessment and diagnosis.

Dixièmes Journées des Maladies du Système Nerveux Périphérique Neuropathies associées aux lymphomas

Peripheral neurological complications of lymphomas are rare, but all types of neuropathy can be observed in the context of lymphoma. This great clinical heterogeneity can be related to the variety of pathological processes that can affect the peripheral nerve or be linked to the different subtypes of lymphoma. In addition to the common causes of peripheral nerve involvement, such as iatrogenic toxicity, there are mechanisms that are more specifically related to lymphomas, such as nerve tumor infiltration, or dysimmune perturbations induced by the hemopathy. These dysimmune processes can result in various neuropathies, such as inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, or neuropathies secondary to the secretion of a monoclonal immunoglobulin. Identifying the mechanism of the neuropathy is necessary in order to determine the therapeutic options and to improve the prognosis.

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma associated with a near-tetraploid karyotype, rearrangement of BCL6, and a t(11;14)(q13;q32)

Chromosome analysis of a patient with intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVL) revealed a complex, near-tetraploid karyotype with 83 chromosomes. Abnormalities included a t(11;14)(q13;q32), which was confirmed with both interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using an IGH/cyclin D1 dual-color, dual-fusion probe set and cyclin D1 immunohistochemical analysis. Abnormality of 3q was also evident. Interphase FISH analysis with a dual-color, break-apart probe set confirmed rearrangement of BCL6. To our knowledge, this is the first report of these abnormalities in IVL.

Intravascular lymphoma: a neoplasm of 'homeless' lymphocytes?

Intravascular lymphoma (IVL) is an extremely rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma characterized by almost exclusive growth of neoplastic lymphocytes within blood vessel lumen. IVL is morphologically characterized in most instances by large cells with B-cell lineage. IVL is an aggressive and usually disseminated disease that predominantly affects elderly patients, resulting in poor PS, B-symptoms, anemia, and high lactate dehydrogenase serum level. The brain and skin are the most commonly involved sites; nodal disease is rare. Survival after conventional chemotherapy is disappointing, with a relevant impact of diagnostic delay and lethal complications. Notwithstanding these results, IVL limited to the skin (cutaneous variant) is a favorable presentation with distinctive clinical characteristics. Moreover, differences in clinical presentation with Eastern Countries IVL cases, mostly associated with hemophagocytic syndrome, do exist. Intensive combinations containing drugs with higher central nervous system bioavailability are needed in cases with brain involvement; the role of high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation should be investigated in younger patients with unfavorable features. The present review will discuss the most recent acquisitions related either to diagnosis and immunophenotypic/biologic characteristics as well as clinical/therapeutic issues of IVL.

Intravascular lymphoma: the oncologist's "great imitator"

Intravascular lymphoma (IVL) is a rare subtype of extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with a distinct presentation. Anatomically the disease is characterized by the proliferation of clonal lymphocytes within small vessels with relative sparing of the surrounding tissue. The clinical symptoms of the disease are dependent on the specific organ involvement, which most often includes the central nervous system and skin. Because of the various modes of presentation and the rarity of IVL, the diagnosis is often made postmortem. The diagnosis is almost exclusively made by surgical biopsy of a suspected site of involvement. Advances in imaging and immunohistochemistry have led to increasing antemortem diagnosis of this lymphoma. Although some patients with this disease may be curable with aggressive therapy, further research into novel treatment strategies is needed to improve outcome. Some potential insights into future therapies may be drawn from the small amount of basic science literature relevant to this entity. This review provides a concise, up-to-date summary of IVL.

Conus medullaris syndrome without lower-extremity involvement in L-1 burst fractures

✓ Conus medullaris injury from burst fractures is known to occur in conjunction with other neurological deficits, including lower-extremity motor weakness or sensory changes. Rarely does an isolated conus medullaris injury occur from an extradural cause without other neurological deficits. The authors report four cases of L-1 burst fractures in which conus medullaris dysfunction was the sole neurological injury in the absence of lower-extremity involvement.

Primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL): MRI features at presentation in 100 patients

To avoid an unnecessary extend of surgery in primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), the diagnosis should be suspected after MRI. Pre-treatment MRI examinations of 100 immunologically competent patients with biopsy-proven PCNSL were evaluated. All patients had T2- and T1-weighted images with contrast enhancement. Diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) was available in 15, proton-MR-spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in four patients. The number of lesions ranged from one (n=65 patients) to eight (n=1) with a mean of 1.7. The most frequent locations were the cerebral hemispheres (n=66), the basal ganglia (n=27) and the corpus callosum (n=24). In the 65 patients with a solitary lesion, hemispheric lesions were most frequent (n=23) followed by corpus callosum (n=18). Contrast enhancement was found in all but one patient. 1H-MRS revealed a uniformly pathologic pattern of metabolite concentrations in all patients. Characteristic imaging features of PCNSL are contrast-enhancing lesions with a diameter of at least 15 mm in contact with the subarachnoid space. DW-MRI and proton spectroscopy may aid in differential diagnosis.

Lymphomes malins non Hodgkiniens du système nerveux périphérique

INTRODUCTION

Identifying tumor infiltration or compression in patients with non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma presenting peripheral neuropathy can be a difficult task.

METHODS

We collected a series of patients with peripheral neuropathy with demonstrated lymphomatous infiltration or compression managed between October 1977 and October 2001 to search for clinico-pathological correlations.

RESULTS

Ten cases were reviewed. Neurological manifestations were the inaugural symptom of the disease in 7 patients. Clinical presentations included 5 focal (3 cranial nerve palsies, 2 brachial radiculopathies) and 5 diffuse neuropathies (3 polyradiculoneuropathies, 1 polyneuropathy and 1 mononeuritis multiplex). The mechanisms of peripheral nerve involvement were classified into lymphomatous meningoradiculitis (5 cases), involvement of cranial nerves or spinal roots in their extraneuraxial course (3 cases) and infiltration of distal peripheral nerves (2 cases). Four long lasting survivals after treatment were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Prognosis depends much more on the haematological disease than on the neurological symptoms or tumor location.

Neurological presentation of intravascular lymphoma: report of two cases and discussion of diagnostic challenges

About a third of patients with intravascular lymphoma (IVL) present to the neurologist with symptoms mimicking thromboembolic events. Diagnosis is difficult, and often made postmortem. As remission may be induced in almost half of patients with combination chemotherapy, early diagnosis of this rare disease is essential. We report two cases of IVL. A 62-year-old male presented with hyperacute myelopathy followed by cortical ischaemic events. The diagnosis was reached with frontal cortical and meningeal biopsy. A 56-year-old female had symptoms of transient ischaemic events, subacute dementia, weight loss and fever. As the disease progressed, she developed nephrotic syndrome and thrombocytopenia. Diagnosis was made postmortem. Our cases illustrate that IVL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cerebral and systemic vasculitis and subacute bacterial endocarditis. Literature suggests IVL can also mimic Creutzfeld-Jakob disease and paraneoplastic encephalomyelitis.

Intravascular Lymphomatosis Mimicking Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis: A Case Report

We describe the clinical, radiologic, and postmortem findings in a 49-year-old woman with intravascular lymphomatosis. The patient presented with progressive limb weakness followed by progressive disseminated cerebral neurologic symptoms. Disseminated encephalomyelitis was suspected due to the clinical and radiologic findings. Steroid pulse therapy and intravenous immunoglobulin were given but did not help. The patient died of multiple organ failure 3 months after the onset of symptoms. A diagnosis of disseminated intravascular large B-cell lymphomatosis was established based on findings from histopathology and immunohistochemistry studies on autopsy specimens of the brain and other visceral organs collected postmortem.

Intravascular lymphoma: clinical presentation, natural history, management and prognostic factors in a series of 38 cases, with special emphasis on the ‘cutaneous variant’1

Despite its recognition as a distinct, extremely rare entity, no large studies of intravascular lymphoma (IVL) have been reported. The clinico-pathological characteristics of 38 human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients with IVL diagnosed in Western countries were reviewed to better delineate clinical presentation, clinical variants, natural history and optimal therapy. The IVL is an aggressive and usually disseminated disease (Ann Arbor stage IV in 68% of cases) that predominantly affects elderly patients (median age 70 years, range: 34-90; male:female ratio 0.9), resulting in poor Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS >1 in 61%), B symptoms (55%), anaemia (63%) and high serum lactate dehydrogenase level (86%). The brain and skin are the most common sites of disease. In contrast to previous reports, hepatosplenic involvement (26%) and bone marrow infiltration (32%) were found to be common features in IVL, while nodal disease was confirmed as rare (11% of cases). Patients with disease limited to the skin ('cutaneous variant'; 26% of cases) were invariably females with a normal platelet count, and exhibited a significantly better outcome than the remaining patients, which deserves further investigation. Overall survival was usually poor; however, the early use of intensive therapies could improve outcome in young patients with unfavourable features. ECOG-PS >1, 'cutaneous variant', stage I and chemotherapy use were independently associated with improved survival.

Anthracycline-based chemotherapy as primary treatment for intravascular lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Optimal therapeutic management of intravascular lymphoma (IVL) lacks precise guidelines.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The clinico-pathological features of 38 HIV-negative patients with IVL were reviewed to define efficacy of chemotherapy in these malignancies. Clinical characteristics of 22 patients treated with chemotherapy and of 16 untreated patients were compared in order to understand better the impact and causes of potential patient selection.

RESULTS

Median age was 70 years (range 34-90), with a male/female ratio of 0.9; 23 (61%) patients had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS) > 1; 21 (55%) had systemic symptoms. Cutaneous lesions and anemia were significantly more common among patients treated with chemotherapy; central nervous system (CNS) and renal involvement were significantly more common among untreated patients. Chemotherapy was associated with a response rate of 59% and a 3-year overall survival of 33 +/- 11%. Five of six patients with CNS involvement received chemotherapy: four of them died early; only one patient, treated with adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, methotrexate, bleomycin and prednisolone (MACOP-B) followed by high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), was alive at 19 months. High-dose chemotherapy supported by ASCT was indicated at diagnosis in another patient (43 years of age, stage I), who was alive at 71 months, and at relapse after cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (CHOP) in two patients who died early after transplantation. PS < or = 1, disease limited to the skin, stage I, and use of chemotherapy were independently associated with better outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Anthracycline-based chemotherapy is the standard treatment for IVL. However, survival is disappointing, with a relevant impact of diagnostic delay and lethal complications. More intensive combinations, containing drugs with higher CNS bioavailability, are needed in cases with brain involvement, and the role of high-dose chemotherapy supported by ASCT should be further investigated in younger patients with unfavorable features.

Multicolor karyotyping and clinicopathological analysis of three intravascular lymphoma cases

Intravascular lymphoma (IVL) is a rare neoplastic disease characterized by the presence of large malignant lymphoid cells in small vessels. It is often diagnosed at autopsy. Clinical manifestations are typically neurologic and dermatologic. Karyotypic abnormalities have been described in a small number of cases and have revealed complex alterations in the majority of cases. We have identified three cases of IVL with varied clinicopathological findings. Karyotypic analysis was undertaken by standard G-banding and supplemented by multi-colored karyotyping (M-FISH) to decipher the chromosomal content of marker chromosomes and undefined additions. M-FISH clarified the chromosomal abnormalities in two cases and unveiled cryptic translocations der(10)t(10;22), der(17)t(17;22), and balanced t(11;14). Comparison with previously published karyotypes revealed prominent involvement of chromosomes 1, 3, 6, 11, 14, and 18, similar to the pattern of clonal evolution in other B-cell lymphomas. The most frequent alterations seen were -6 or 6q- and +18 or dup(18q), with a minimally deleted region located at 6q21-q23 and a commonly amplified region located at 18q13-q23, respectively. Few differences between the classical and Asian variant of this disease were apparent at the karyotypic level. Cytogenetic analysis of additional cases supplemented by multicolor karyotyping may help identify the full spectrum of genetic alterations associated with IVL and assist in the delineation of the critical mutations associated with initiation and progression of this disease.

Intravascular lymphoma presenting with bone marrow involvement and leukemic phase

We describe the case of a 62-year-old man with recent onset of constitutional symptoms and vague intellectual deficit. The blood showed pancytopenia with blastemia, and bone marrow confirmed an extensive "vacuolated blast-like cell" infiltrate. Initial diagnosis of, and treatment for Burkitt's leukemia/lymphoma was questioned when the "blasts" typed as CD5+ mature B-cells; however, it was revised to intravascular lymphoma (IVL) only after the sinusoidal pattern was confirmed by immunocytochemistry. Literature review indicated that blood and bone marrow involvement in IVL appears to be rare, but a systematic search for this involvement is often not carried out. CD5 expression has been increasingly reported in this disease. The actual frequency and the significance of this expression are still to be defined.

A new approach to the diagnosis and treatment of intravascular lymphoma

In intravascular lymphoma (IVL) tumor cells are initially restricted to vascular lumina. Neurological syndromes predominate and are caused by ischemia as well as tumor infiltration into the nervous system. Ante mortem diagnosis is challenging and frequently impossible. Chemotherapy is effective if started prior to ischemic damage. Over a three year period, we have diagnosed IVL in seven patients. Tissue diagnosis could be accomplished in only three cases. Forthose in whom tissue diagnosis failed we based our diagnosis on clinical presentation, typical magnetic resonance imaging findings, spinal fluid cytopathology, and molecular analyses. Six patients were treated with methotrexate chemotherapy alone or in combination with CHOP. Three patients are in complete remission 9-20 months after initial diagnosis. Another patient achieved a partial response. Two patients died due to progressive disease shortly after initiation of treatment. Grade III toxicity was observed in only 4 of 61 cycles. Based on a small retrospective series of patients, we conclude that methotrexate is a well tolerated and effective agent for the treatment of IVL.

Intravascular lymphoma involving the central and peripheral nervous systems in a dog

A 5-year-old, castrated male mixed-breed dog was presented for paraparesis, ataxia, hyperesthesia, and thrombocytopenia of 5 months' duration and recurrent seizures during the preceding 2 weeks. Multifocal neurological, ophthalmological, pulmonary, and cardiac diseases were identified. Magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid analysis supported a tentative diagnosis of neoplastic or inflammatory disease. A computed tomography-guided biopsy provided both cytopathological and histopathological evidence of intravascular lymphoma. The disease progressed despite chemotherapy with prednisone, L-asparginase, and vincristine. Postmortem histopathological examinations suggested intravascular lymphoma in the central and peripheral nervous systems as well as in multiple other organ systems. This is the first description of an antemortem diagnosis and treatment of intravascular lymphoma involving the central nervous system of a dog.

Chromosomal aberrations in intravascular lymphomatosis

Intravascular lymphomatosis (IVL) is a unique, disseminated type of malignant lymphoma. However, no detailed comparative study limited to the chromosomal aberrations of IVL has been reported, because IVL is extremely rare and difficult to diagnose while the patient is alive. We present here a case of IVL, and compare its karyotype with those of five cases of previously reported IVL. The accumulation of structural aberrations in chromosomes 1, 6, and 18, especially 1p (4 of 6 cases) and trisomy 18 (4 of 6 cases), were found in our comparative study of the B-cell lineage typical IVL. These chromosomal rearrangements must provide important information regarding the characteristics of cytogenetically associated with the cellular genetics of IVL.

Successful treatment of intravascular malignant lymphomatosis with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

Intravascular malignant lymphocytosis (IML) is a rare systemic disease characterized by proliferation of malignant B (rarely T) lymphoid cells within the lumina of small arteries, veins, and capillaries. Diagnosis requires skin, liver, renal, meningeal, or brain biopsy, but is rarely made ante mortem. In this report, we describe a patient who had an ante mortem diagnosis of IML as a result of a skin biopsy. Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT) was successfully performed after chemotherapy. The patient has survived for more than 30 months since the onset of the disease and maintains complete remission on the 450th day post PBSCT. To our knowledge, this is the first case of IML treated by auto-PBSCT.