Full facial edema: a novel presentation of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma

Wenn es kein Angioödem ist, was dann? Diagnostisches Vorgehen bei Gesichtsödemen

Gesichtsödeme sind ein relativ häufiges Symptom bei Patienten allergologischer und dermatologischer Kliniken. Die Differentialdiagnose ist breit gefächert und die endgültige Diagnose kann manchmal eine Herausforderung für den Kliniker sein. Das faziale Angioödem selbst umfasst verschiedene Ätiopathologien (histaminerg, bradykinininduziert und weitere), die von anderen Ursachen des Gesichtsödems differenziert werden sollten, etwa allergischer Kontaktdermatitis, granulomatösen Erkrankungen, inflammatorischen Ursachen, Infektionen, Neoplasmen oder paraneoplastischen Syndromen, Autoimmunerkrankungen und anderen Entitäten, die hier als „Sonstige“ bezeichnet werden. Um die richtigen Untersuchungen anzuordnen und eine gezielte Therapie zu verordnen, ist ein angemessener diagnostischer Ansatz ausschlaggebend. Diese Übersicht konzentriert sich auf Entitäten, die mit Gesichtsödem einhergehen, und fasst ihre klinischen Charakteristika zusammen.

If not angioedema, what is it? Diagnostic approach to facial edema

Facial edema is a relatively frequent clinical presentation encountered in patients seen in allergology and dermatology clinics. The differential diagnosis is broad, and sometimes the definitive diagnosis can be a challenge for the clinician. Facial angioedema itself encompasses different etiopathologies (histaminergic, bradykinergic, etc.) that must be distinguished from other causes of facial edema, such as allergic contact dermatitis, granulomatous conditions, inflammatory causes, infections, neoplasms or paraneoplastic syndromes, autoimmune diseases, among other entities hereby referred as miscellanea. A proper diagnostic approach is essential to order the appropriate tests, as well as to prescribe a targeted treatment. This review focuses on entities that present with facial edema and summarize their characteristic clinical features.

Eyelid erythema as the first manifestation of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma mimicking dermatomyositis: a case-based review

Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL) which preferentially infiltrates into subcutaneous adipose tissue is rare, however may mimic autoimmune diseases from the aspect of clinical manifestations. Here, we describe a 16-year-old young man, who initially presented with eyelid erythema and swelling, accompanied by fever and muscle and bone marrow involvement. He was preliminarily considered as a patient with classical dermatomyositis (DM), but finally diagnosed as SPTCL concomitant with paraneoplastic inflammatory myositis, confirmed by in total 8 times repeated biopsies at different sites. After systematically reviewing the literatures, we summarized the main features of SPTCL mimicking DM with eyelid edema as the presenting manifestation. The cautionary tale reminds rheumatologists of considering mimickers in patients with atypical autoimmune-like manifestations. Suitable biopsy is critical for diagnosis and improving prognosis.

Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography evaluation of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T cell lymphoma and treatment response

Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T cell lymphoma (SPTCL) is a very rare variant of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Currently, there is no standard imaging method for staging of SPTCL nor for assessment of treatment response. Here, we describe our use of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for staging and monitoring of treatment response in 3 cases of SPTCL. Primary staging by PET/CT showed that all 3 patients had multiple foci in the subcutaneous fat tissue, with SUVmax from 10.5 to 14.6. Involvement of intra-abdominal fat with high SUVmax was identified in 2 of the patients. Use of the triple drug regimen of gemcitabine, cisplatin and methylprednisolone (commonly known as “GEM-P”) as first-line therapy or second-line therapy facilitated complete metabolic response for all 3 cases. FDG PET/CT provides valuable information for staging and monitoring of treatment response and can reveal occult involvement of the intra-abdominal visceral fat. High FDG uptake on pre-treatment PET can identify patients with aggressive disease and help in selection of first-line therapy.

Facial swelling: an atypical presentation of cutaneous lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous lymphomas (primary and secondary lymphomas involving the skin) are a heterogeneous group with various clinical manifestations, histological features, and prognoses.

METHODS

We describe eight cases of cutaneous lymphoma presenting with facial swelling.

RESULTS

Our case series included three cases of primary cutaneous extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, one case of secondary cutaneous extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, one case of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma, one case of cutaneous CD4+ small/medium pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma, and two cases of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (unspecified).

CONCLUSIONS

This collection of cases and literature review emphasizes the need for clinical suspicion of cutaneous lymphoma in the differential diagnosis of patients with refractory facial swelling.

Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma with macrophage activation syndrome treated by cyclosporine and prednisolone

Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL; α/β T-cell subtype) is a distinct variantof cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, which presents as inflammatory subcutaneous nodules. A 17-year-old male presented with recurrent fever with concomitant facial swelling, pedal edema, hepatosplenomegaly, and mildly tender subcutaneous plaques in generalized distribution along with patches of scarring alopecia on scalp. There were features of macrophage activation syndrome in the form of hemophagocytosis in the bone marrow, pancytopenia, high serum lactate dehydrogenase levels, low fibrinogen clotting activity, prolonged activated prothrombine time (aPTT), increased serum ferritin, hypoalbuminemia, and hypertriglyceridemia. Histopathology showed lobular panniculitis-like infiltration by atypical lymphocytes rimming the adipocytes. Immunohistochemistry revealed positive CD3 and CD8 markers, whereas CD4, CD56, and CD20 were negative, consistent with the diagnosis of α/β type of SPTCL. Treatment with oral prednisolone (1mg/kg/day) and cyclosporine (2mg/kg/day; 100 mg) led to rapid subsidence of fever, plaques, and abnormal hematological parameters within a few weeks.