Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting as a retroperitoneal mass in the emergency department: a case report

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is a common lymphatic system malignancy that typically presents with painless lymphadenopathy. Acute symptoms resulting from extranodal involvement are rare and may lead to diagnostic challenges in the emergency setting. We report a case of NHL in a 39-year-old male patient who presented to the emergency department with abdominal distension, oliguria, and acute dyspnea. Imaging revealed a large retroperitoneal mass with bilateral pleural effusions and ascites. The patient underwent symptomatic treatment and was admitted to the ICU. Histopathological examination of the mass confirmed the diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This case highlights the importance of considering lymphoma in the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal masses with acute systemic manifestations and emphasizes a cautious approach to surgical intervention in the emergency setting.