Lymphoreticular disorders masquerading as rheumatic disease syndromes

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Oncology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Rheumatologic symptoms can present with diverse clinical manifestations.
• Lymphoproliferative and infectious diseases may mimic rheumatic conditions.

Observation:

• Four cases presented with distinct rheumatologic symptoms.
• Three cases were diagnosed with lymphoma.
• One case, initially suspected of lymphoma, was diagnosed with tuberculous infection.

Findings:

• Rheumatologic presentations can be indicative of underlying lymphoma.
• Tuberculosis can present with symptoms mimicking rheumatologic or lymphoproliferative disorders.
• Accurate diagnosis requires differentiating between rheumatic, lymphoproliferative, and infectious etiologies.

Implications:

• Alert clinicians to consider lymphoma and tuberculosis in rheumatologic presentations.
• Highlights the importance of establishing the correct etiology for appropriate therapeutic and prognostic management.
• Emphasizes the need for a broad differential diagnosis in complex rheumatologic cases.