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Updated: May 31, 2026
Imaging CD19+ B Cells in an Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Mouse Model using Positron Emission Tomography
Published on: January 20, 2023
The Sanctuary Within: Development of CD20+ CNS Lymphoma Despite Peripheral B-Cell Depletion by Rituximab in a
Mohammad Hossein Harirchian1, Seyed Ehsan Mohammadianinejad1, Asghar Bayati2
1Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, tums.ac.ir.
Introduction:
Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are not immune to developing comorbid conditions, including malignant disorders. A new neurologic worsening in a known MS patient, despite being on immunosuppressive or even antineoplastic therapy, could be a malignant condition, other than MS relapse.
Case Presentation:
We report a middle-aged woman with a known history of MS and under treatment with rituximab from a few years ago, who subsequently developed clinical and imaging features that were not typical for MS relapse, which was pathologically confirmed to be a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
Conclusion:
It is important to consider the possibility of superimposed comorbid disorders, especially malignant conditions, in the setting of immunosuppressive therapy in MS patients. Considering red flags is an important task before the diagnosis of MS relapse as an explanation for new neurologic worsening.
