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Lymphoma-induced polyradiculopathy in AIDS: two cases
1Clinique des Maladies du Système Nerveux, Hôpital de la Salpêtrière, Paris, France.
Journal of Neurology
|March 1, 1992
Summary
Progressive polyradiculopathy in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) can be caused by lymphoma, not just cytomegalovirus. This study highlights lymphoma as a potential cause of these neurological complications in HIV-infected patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Progressive polyradiculopathy is a known complication of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the commonly attributed cause of polyradiculopathy in AIDS patients.
- The clinical and electrophysiological presentation can be unique in certain cases.
Observation:
- Two human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients presented with a subacute, progressive polyradiculopathy.
- Post-mortem examination of the first patient revealed B-cell immunoblastic lymphoma infiltrating the central nervous system and spinal roots.
- The second patient had bone-marrow involvement consistent with Burkitt type lymphoma.
Findings:
- Immunohistochemistry for HIV-1 and CMV was negative in the affected nervous system tissues of the first patient.
- The second patient experienced clinical improvement and remission after receiving specific chemotherapy for lymphoma.
- These cases suggest lymphoma as a potential etiology for polyradiculopathy in the context of AIDS.
Implications:
- Lymphoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of polyradiculopathy in patients with AIDS.
- This finding expands the understanding of neurological complications associated with HIV infection and malignancies.
- Further research may elucidate the mechanisms linking lymphoma and polyradiculopathy in immunocompromised individuals.