[Malignant lymphomas presenting as fever of unknown origin]

The main cause of fever of unknown origin (FUO) in the diagnostic category of neoplasms are malignant lymphomas. This study was done to describe the clinical features and the investigation results which diagnostic contribution.

Between 2000 and 2005 a prospective and descriptive study was conducted in 18 patients hospitalized for studying a classical FUO who were diagnosed as having a malignant lymphoma.

More than half of all patients (55%) were in stage IV. The weight loss and the peripheral lymphadenopathy were found in 13 (72%) and 9 patients (50%), respectively. Abdominal ultrasonography had a diagnostic contribution in 55% of the patients. The malignant lymphoma diagnostic was made by peripheral or deep lymphadenopathy biopsy in 8 patients (44%). The bone marrow biopsy established diagnostic in 6 patients (33%). In four patients (22%) the diagnosis was made at the autopsy.

Most of patients with malignant lymphomas presenting as FUO had an advanced disease. The weight loss and the peripheral lymphadenopathy were the most frequent clinical features. Abdominal ultrasonography, lymphadenopathy biopsy and bone marrow biopsy were the procedures with more diagnostic utility.