Malignant lymphoma of the central nervous system: a case of primary spinal intramedullary involvement

Primary involvement of the spinal cord in malignant lymphoma is rare. Clinical and pathologic features of a case of malignant lymphoma initially involving the spinal cord and subsequently one cerebral hemisphere are reported and the medical literature reviewed. If malignant lymphoma of the central nervous system is diagnosed by means of brain biopsy examination, radiotherapy of any coexisting intramedullary spinal cord lesion of undetermined cause should be considered.