Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder of the nasopharynx

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a serious complication of organ transplantation. Although the precise etiology is unknown, the Epstein-Barr virus and immunosuppressive agents appear to he risk factors. The presentation PTLD is diverse, including many patients with symptoms of the head and neck, which may make diagnosis difficult. We present a patient who had undergone renal transplantation referred for recurrent sinusitis. She was found to have PTLD of the nasopharynx. Three cases of head and neck PTLD treated at our institution are described. Although PTLD is uncommon in the general community, the incidence has continued to increase as more patients undergo transplants and clinical presentations of PTLD should be familiar to the otolaryngologist.