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Published on: November 28, 2015
Isolated bone marrow natural killer cell lymphoma with central nervous system involvement mimicking a cerebral
Ibrahim Adaletli1, Celalettin Camci, Alper Sevinc
1Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Radiology, Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
This case report details an unusual presentation of natural killer (NK) cell lymphoma affecting the bone marrow and central nervous system (CNS). The CNS involvement mimicked a cerebral infarct, a presentation not previously documented for isolated bone marrow lymphoma.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Neurology
- Oncology
Background:
- A rare case of isolated bone marrow natural killer (NK) cell lymphoma is presented.
- Central nervous system (CNS) involvement in this specific lymphoma subtype has not been previously reported.
Observation:
- A 49-year-old male presented with fever, confusion, and agitation.
- Bone marrow biopsy confirmed NK-cell lymphoma as the cause of bicytopenia.
- Brain MRI revealed findings consistent with a subacute cerebral infarct.
Findings:
- The study highlights a unique presentation of NK-cell lymphoma.
- The lymphoma involved both the bone marrow and the CNS.
- CNS manifestations mimicked a cerebral infarct on MRI.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider CNS lymphoma in the differential diagnosis of brain lesions resembling infarcts, especially in patients with lymphoma.
- This case expands the known spectrum of CNS involvement in hematologic malignancies.
- Early recognition of CNS lymphoma is crucial for appropriate management and improved patient outcomes.
Background:
We describe the case of an isolated bone marrow natural killer (NK) cell lymphoma with central nervous system (CNS) involvement mimicking a cerebral infarct. CNS involvement in isolated bone marrow lymphoma has not been reported previously.
Case Report:
A 49-year-old man with complaints of fever, confusion, and agitation was presented. A bone marrow biopsy was performed to investigate the etiology of bicytopenia which was consistent with NK-cell lymphoma. Brain MRI findings were suggestive of a subacute infarct.
Conclusion:
Even if pathological signal changes of the brain without contrast enhancement resembling infarct are detected in patients with lymphoma on the magnetic resonance imaging, CNS involvement of the lymphoma should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis.