A case of T-cell lymphoma with convoluted lymphocytes

A case of T-cell lymphoma, as defined by immunologic studies of lymph node, peripheral blood, and cultured cells, is presented. Convoluted lymphocytes were noted in the original lymph node biopsy, in cerebral spinal fluid preparations and terminally, in the peripheral blood. The prominent neuologic abnormalities representing both central and peripheral nervous system involvement were atypical. Other features included skin and testicular infiltration, leukemic transformation, and refractoriness to therapy. A somewhat similar clinical picture has been reported in other patients with diffuse, poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphomas, some of which have proven to have a T-cell origin. T-cell lymphoma may represent a distinct clinical entity that calls for modifications of our traditional therapeutic approaches.