Castleman Disease Presenting as a Parapharyngeal Mass: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Castleman disease as the great mimicker: the role of complex morpho-pathological evaluation

Castleman disease (CD) is a group of lymphoproliferative disorders characterized by abnormal enlargement of lymph nodes (LNs) and a wide range of symptoms. Only a few cases are found in the head and neck. Based on clinical presentation and evolution, the disease can be classified into two main subtypes: unicentric CD (UCD), characterized by the enlargement of a single LN or a single LN chain, and multicentric CD (MCD), characterized by the involvement of multiple LNs and regions, with more important systemic symptoms and a poor prognosis. CD is also known as "the great mimicker" and can be easily misdiagnosed, sharing similar clinical and imaging characteristics with other pathologies, mainly when it is found in the neck. A histopathological (HP) and immunohistochemical (IHC) correlation is essential in these cases to accurately diagnose and establish the proper treatment plan. In light of this, we present a rare case of a 15-year-old young female with a slowly expanding, isolated supraclavicular mass. An excisional biopsy was performed, and the results confirmed the presence of CD, hyaline-vascular type. As of this writing, there was no evidence of recurrence or new enlarged LNs. We also review CD's clinical and HP features and the diagnostic and treatment challenges it poses.

Castleman disease of the parapharyngeal space: Diagnosis and management

Introduction

Castleman's disease (CD) is a rare and benign disease often identified in the mediastinum with few cases in the head and neck area. Parapharyngeal Castleman's disease was rarely reported in the literature.

The aim of our work was to discuss the management of this particular location of CD. It was about a case report that has been reported in line with the SCARE 2020 criteria (Agha et al., 2020 [1]).

Case presentation

We report the case of a 53-year-old female patient who presented a left parotid tumefaction. Radiological investigations showed a parapharyngeal mass that was surgically removed. Definitive pathologic report concluded to Castleman's disease. She presented, one year later, a retropharyngeal recurrence, which was treated by radiotherapy with good response.

Clinical discussion and conclusion

Castleman's disease located in parapharyngeal spaces is an entity that was rarely reported in the literature. Surgical excision is the golden standard treatment. Radiotherapy is also an effective treatment that can be offered for unresectable cases or recurrences of Castleman's disease.

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Castleman’s disease (CD) located in parapharyngeal spaces was rarely reported in the literature.

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Its clinical and radiological presentation are common to all parapharyngeal space tumors.

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Its confirmation is based on histology proof and an assessment is necessary in search of other localizations of this disease.

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Surgery is the first line treatment.

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Radiotherapy is an effective treatment for unresectable cases or recurrences of unicentric CD.

Castleman Disease: An Unusual Cause of an Isolated Neck Mass

ABSTRACT

A 15-year old female patient was complaining from swelling in the left side of the neck since 3 months. Physical examination showed palpable and mobile left supraclavicular neck mass in the carotid triangle, uvula deviation to the left side and normal vocal cords position and function. Neck imagings showed well-defined, well-encapsulated left neck mass in the left carotid sheath pushing the internal jugular vein anteriorly and the common carotid artery posteriorly. The mass was extending from the level of C4 superiorly and the supraclavicular region inferiorly. Patient was operated with left anterior approach and circumferential dissection and enucleation was performed. Post-operative period was uneventful and devoid of any complications or deficits. Histopathological examination revealed Castleman disease.

A Rare Presentation of Orbital Castleman's Disease

Castleman's disease (CD) is an uncommon group of atypical lymphoproliferative disorders. Extranodal involvement such as the orbit is extremely rare. We aim to report a case of a 62-year-old male who presented with left painless proptosis for the past three years. Examination revealed a firm, lobulated mass in the left superotemporal orbit, displacing the globe inferomedially. A well-defined extraconal orbital lesion encasing the left lateral rectus muscle with intraconal extension was seen on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) that led to the provisional diagnosis of left solitary encapsulated venous malformation. Excision of the mass via lateral orbitotomy was performed. However, on histopathology, the features were consistent with a mixed-cell variant of Castleman's disease. A detailed systemic workup was unremarkable. Proptosis resolved after surgery and no recurrence was noted in the three-year follow-up. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of a mixed-cell variant of unicentric orbital CD without any systemic features. This case highlights the importance of including CD in the differential diagnosis of well-defined orbital lesions so as to enable its early detection and timely management.