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Updated: Nov 6, 2025
Isolating Central Nervous System Tissues and Associated Meninges for the Downstream Analysis of Immune cells
Published on: May 19, 2020
Primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the CNS, with a "Lymphomatosis cerebri" pattern
Balamurugan Thirunavukkarasu1, Kirti Gupta1, Ritu Shree2
1Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Department of Histopathology, Chandigarh, India.
Insights
Lymphomatosis cerebri, a rare brain condition, infiltrates brain tissue diffusely rather than forming tumors. This presentation is often missed on biopsies, requiring increased awareness for accurate diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuropathology
- Neuro-oncology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Lymphomatosis cerebri is a rare form of primary central nervous system lymphoma.
- It can present with nonspecific neurological symptoms, mimicking other neurodegenerative or inflammatory conditions.
Observation:
- A middle-aged female presented with rapidly progressing dementia.
- Imaging revealed diffuse brain parenchymal infiltration rather than discrete mass lesions.
Findings:
- Stereotactic biopsy may miss diffuse lymphomatous infiltration, highlighting diagnostic challenges.
- The infiltrative pattern necessitates careful consideration in differential diagnoses.
Implications:
- Increased awareness of lymphomatosis cerebri's infiltrative pattern is crucial for timely diagnosis.
- This case underscores the importance of integrating clinical, imaging, and pathological findings.
- Further research into diagnostic modalities for infiltrative CNS lymphomas is warranted.
Abstract:
We describe an unusual case of lymphomatosis cerebri in a middle-aged lady presenting with rapid-onset dementia. The lymphomatous infiltrate, instead of forming mass lesions, percolated throughout the brain parenchyma, which is often missed on a stereotactic biopsy and hence warrants caution and awareness about this entity. The nonspecific symptoms at presentation and a variable picture at imaging make this entity diagnostically challenging.
